Vol106-10 November/December 2014 by Lake Union Herald

“Telling the stories of what God is doing in the lives of his people” 14

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In every issue... 3 President’s Perspective 4 From My Perspective 6 Family Ties 7 Healthy Choices 8 Present Truth 9 Conversations with God 10

Sharing our Hope

Conexiones

12 Telling God’s Stories

In this issue... Our attention often turns to the subject of giving. Donations for the poor increase dramatically, and caring families often look for ways to make life better for someone else, possibly total strangers. Those who practice good stewardship principles are often in a better position to be generous. But good stewardship goes beyond finances. This edition of the Herald offers a variety of perspectives on stewardship to help us all be better stewards of our time, our talents and our shared natural resources. Let’s be good stewards in every area of our lives.

Gary Burns, Editor

22 AMH News

Features...

23 Andrews University News

14 Christians and Creation Care by Jo Ann Davidson

24 News 33 Announcements 34 Mileposts 35 Classifieds 37 Partnership with God 38 One

Voice

39 On the Edge 2

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19 Recycling Is Good Stewardship 20 Trusting God’s Faithfulness by Curt DeWitt The Lake Union Herald (ISSN 0194-908X) is published monthly (except for June/July and November/December) by the Lake Union Conference, P.O. Box 287, Berrien Springs, MI 49103-0287. Periodicals postage paid at Berrien Springs, MI, and additional mailing o≈ces. Yearly subscription price is $12.50. Vol. 106, No. 10. POSTMASTER: Send all address changes to: Lake Union Herald, P. O. Box 287, Berrien Springs, MI 49103-0287. Lake Union Herald Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation This Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation was filed on September 29, 2014, with the U.S. Postal Service for the Lake Union Herald, for publication number 0194-908X, a magazine owned and published by the Lake Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 8450 M 139, Berrien Springs, MI 49103-9400; P.O. Box 287, Berrien Springs, MI 49103-0287. It is published monthly (except June/July and November/December) at a subscription price of $12.50 (domestic). For further information, contact Gary Burns, editor, or Diane Thurber, managing editor, 269-4738242, at the same address above. The following figures for the extent and nature of circulation apply to the year ending with the October 2014 issue of the Lake Union Herald and were printed in the November 2014 issue of this publication.

Total number of copies Total paid or requested outside-county mail subs Total paid or requested inside-county mail subs Sales through dealer, carriers, street vendors Other classes mailed through USPS Total paid and/or requested circulation Total free outside-county distribution Total free inside-county distribution Other classes mailed free through USPS Total free through carriers or other means Total free distribution Total distribution Copies not distributed Total Percent paid and/or requested circulation

Average Actual No. for Year for October Issue 33,134 33,310 85 78 1 0 0 0 0 0 86 78 28,740 29,599 3,196 3,633 0 0 0 0 31,936 33,232 32,022 32,310 200 100 33,222 33,410 27%

23%

President’s Perspective b y D O N L I V E S A Y , L a k e U nion P R E S I D E N T

The Holy and the Profane

he biblical rule by beholding we become changed1 is still very relevant. When I was young, our society and church tended spiritual values with rules instead of principles. We were very clear that going to movies was wrong. I don’t remember much discussion about why we shouldn’t; we just were not to go.

Later in life, I heard a deeper rationale to address entertainment that included the following principles: 1) Violence numbs our sensitivity to people; 2) The constant profaning of God’s name diminishes our view of him; 3) Exposure to depraved attitudes and actions about sexuality downgrades our outlook toward morality; and 4) The constant association with dishonest words and actions reduces integrity. These exposures come from almost all media today, not just movies. Again, by beholding we become changed. During the Watergate scandal of the ’70s, it was quite disappointing to learn that the White House audio tapes had so many expletives that had to be bleeped out. Today, there are fewer and fewer restrictions on profanities. Verbal profanity tends to be theological and/or biological terms taken out of context. One of the sad realities is that, while both are disgraceful, the theological terms that take in vain God’s and Christ’s names have been the more quickly and widely accepted. The word “profane,” according to the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary, means 1) to treat (something sacred) with abuse, irreverence or contempt: desecrate, or 2) to debase by a wrong, unworthy, or vulgar use. Minced oaths are euphemistic expressions made by distorting or clipping profane words and expressions with the effort to make them less objectionable. As the world’s and our personal understanding of that which is holy diminishes, the profane becomes the common. As the profane becomes commonly accepted, it further replaces the holy. But, of course, the great evil one is not content to just profane language; his goal is to make our hearts and actions profane. As Scripture is diminished, holy things, such as creation, the Sabbath, God’s revelation of his will for us as seen in the law, the sanctity of life, and the purity of God-created sexuality, all are progressively corrupted. For many years, secular culture has educated us that sexual immorality between men and women is not profane, but normal. The progression continues as same-sex immorality is, before our eyes, more and more considered to be normal, appropriate and even to be defended — in a sense, holy. Scripture tells us that “Holy, Holy, Holy!” is the song that constantly ascends before God’s throne. We look forward to an eternity of holy bliss in the presence of holiness. But it is our privilege to begin and continue an experience of his holiness now. Just as the profane can destroy holiness in the unguarded heart, seeking and embracing the holy, turning our hearts toward our holy Father, our holy Savior and our holy Spirit can purge the profane from our homes and lives. Don’t you think Paul says it in a profoundly simple way: Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things (Philippians 4:8 NKJV). 1. See 2 Corinthians 3:18.

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FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

R.A.I.N. in Hartford

b y M oise R atsara

od has given us a Great Commission, not a “great option.” As a young pastor responding to the high calling of ministry, I had to personalize God’s commission in Matthew 28:16–20. I had made a personal decision that wherever I was sent, be it a remote village in Congo or Las Vegas, Nevada, I needed to preach the

Three Angels’ Messages not only intellectually, but with my heart. At the end of 2012, I received the call to pastor in Hartford, Michigan. The city is home to a beautiful, mid-size church with about 70 members. The church and its members were precious, but attendance was low and the town was a challenge. In 2000, Hartford had about 6,000 residents, but in 2010 that number dropped to about 2,000. More than half the residents I talked with, during my time there, had multiple negative Moise Ratsara contacts with law enforcement; most were unemployed or on some form of welfare. The majority of the residents were migrant workers; hence, language was a barrier. My heart went out to this community and to my local congregation. I realized I, myself, was in need of a Savior. I decided to claim Christ’s righteousness and wisdom. The pastor prior to me laid a good foundation and established a positive presence in the community. But now, it was left to us, the Hartford Church, to unite with God and spread the Three Angels’ Messages to this community, preparing them to receive Jesus. In order to fulfill this task, our church first had to become a praying church. Mothers, fathers, widows, orphans — all of us started to agonize with God, in prayer, asking him what we must do to prepare

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his people. After nights of many tears, sore knees and attacks from the evil one to give up and just “play” church, God reminded us of three quotes from the Spirit of Prophecy: “It is evident that all the sermons that have been preached have not developed a large class of self-denying workers. This subject is to be considered as involving the most serious results. Our future for eternity is at stake. The churches are withering up because they have failed to use their talents in diffusing light. Careful instruction should be given which will be as lessons from the Master, that all may put their light to practical use” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 6, p. 431). “Many would be willing to work if they were taught how to begin. They need to be instructed and encouraged. Every church should be a training school for Christian workers” (The Ministry of Healing, p. 149). “Successful work for Christ depends not so much on numbers or talent as upon pureness of purpose, the true simplicity of earnest, dependent faith. Personal responsibilities must be borne, personal duties must be taken up, personal efforts must be made for those who do not know Christ. In the place of shifting your responsibility upon

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When Moise Ratsara (right) was pastor of the Hartford Church in Michigan, he and personal ministry director Christian Smith, a Bible worker, implemented a nine-week Bible training course to equip members to be successful in gospel ministry, with a desire to create a culture of mentors for newly-baptized or struggling members. The R.A.I.N. program has since been introduced and replicated in the Jackson Church, and Christian continues to lead the program in Hartford.

someone whom you think more richly endowed than you are, work according to your ability” (The Desire of Ages, p. 370). After this revelation from God, we realized that not only must our church be a praying church, we also must take personal action. We must become a training center for gospel workers. More importantly, each member also must feel the personal burden for the success of the church, locally and at-large. We, as church leaders, realized the need not only to adopt an effective cycle of evangelism, but to believe in and practice it. My personal ministry director Christian Smith, a zealous young man for the Lord, and I decided to put together a very practical nine-week Bible training course that could be replicated in any local church. The course acronym R.A.I.N. stood for “Reaching After Individual Needs.” While it is still in the process of being perfected, this course focuses on teaching members Christ’s methods of personal work. Its aims were first to equip the local membership to be successful in gospel ministry and, secondly, the course sought to create a culture of mentors for newly-baptized or struggling members. Last, but not least, R.A.I.N. was to become an army of well-trained gospel workers excited about our Advent message. In our first year of implementing R.A.I.N., we faced some challenges. We lost several of our beloved church members, while several of our attendees were in dire financial need. But the Lord was faithful. In one of our

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outreaches, we had 15 Bible study interests in just 45 minutes of door-to-door work. Members that had been frightened to give Bible studies, or had no experience in ministry, started to give multiple Bible studies. As a result, we had about 24 solid Bible studies that are still being led by members of R.A.I.N. In our first session of R.A.I.N., more than half of our active church membership graduated from the course. Interestingly, this and other factors led to an increase in church attendance. At the end of the year, we weekly had almost the same number of church attendees for both Sabbath school and the worship service as the membership total on our church books. In addition, our church programs (cooking schools, vacation Bible school, church socials, etc.) were well attended by the community. Our church was included in a list of ten churches to attend in the county. Several baptisms have resulted from R.A.I.N. members’ involvement in personal evangelism, and many more are being prepared for baptism. We praise the Lord for his faithfulness. A lot still needs to be done for Christ in Hartford and in our great state of Michigan, but God is our Father and, if we totally depend on him, he will lead us even in the end of this age. Maranatha. Moise Ratsara is pastor of the Bunker Hill and Jackson churches in Michigan.

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FAMIL| TIES

Gifts From the Heart b y S usan E . M urra y

uring the holiday season, most think about, anticipate, plan, choose and give gifts. That’s a wonderful part of being alive — the giving and receiving of gifts.

As Christians, we recognize the best gifts are from God, the most precious of those that money can’t buy. Gifts that money can buy also hold great meaning. But it’s not just about the gift. Added to the tangible enjoyment of the gift itself, it’s also about appreciation of a person’s thoughtfulness — the sense a gift is from the heart, and knowing someone is excited about our life. Like the kids who enjoy the wrapping and boxes gifts come in as much or more than the toy, it’s the meaning behind the gift that can give the greater joy. Sometimes, receiving a gift holds disappointment. When we receive a gift that was obviously an unwanted gift being passed on in sizes too large or small or an unflattering color or style, or has the price tag on it, it conveys a message the gift may be given out of obligation, was a bargain, or money was spent to impress us or others. We add these experiences to other messages we have received about our value and importance to others. What we long for is to be assured we are valued, that someone is in touch with our life. Think of the value of genuinely being excited and interested in someone’s life, long term, and expressing that in meaningful ways. Whether it’s a new baby, the child who suddenly is a teen, a spouse, or an aging adult, consistently choosing to be excited about their life can be life-changing — it’s a gift! Perhaps Ellen White’s perspective can enhance our giftgiving this year. She suggested that our youth should be treated very carefully during the Christmas season, not left

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to find their own amusements. “The desire for amusement, instead of being quenched and arbitrarily ruled down, should be controlled and directed by painstaking effort upon the part of the parents. Their desire to make gifts may be turned into pure and holy channels and made to result in good to our fellow men....”1 In focusing this way, we also show our youth we are interested in and excited about their lives. Ellen also saw value in the interchange of gifts. “It is pleasant to receive a gift, however small, from those we love. It is an assurance that we are not forgotten, and seems to bind us to them a little closer.” She continued, “It is right to bestow upon one another tokens of love and remembrance if we do not in this forget God, our best friend. We should make our gifts such as will prove a real benefit to the receiver.”2 I invite you to consider what you bring to others in regards to gifts — some money can buy and some money can’t buy. Being truly, intentionally interested and excited about another’s life may be gift enough, but you also can sweeten life by the thoughtful, heart-felt, tangible gifts you give this season. Susan E. Murray is a professor emerita of behavioral sciences at Andrews University, certified family life educator, and licensed marriage and family therapist. 1. White, Ellen G., “Christmas,” The Adventist Home. Review and Herald Publishing Association: Hagerstown, Md. (2001). 2. Ibid.

T h e L a k e Un i o n He ra l d i s a v a i l a b l e o n l i n e .

HEALTH| CHOICES d ar-en ram e y A rog ise p aintain c r e m ex al to ealth. t i v is h good

Healthy Holidays b y W inston J . C rai g

Dr are a h ied fruits ealth to you y addition r diet.

hile Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons are often associated with unhealthful, excessively rich and sweet foods, there are many good options available to us. First, we must discipline ourselves not to overeat.

Sometimes, controlling the volume or amount of food eaten may be more important than the type of

food eaten. Smaller portion sizes are really critical. And snacking can really tally up the calories.

Where possible, fruits, frozen berries, tomatoes and a variety of green vegetables, including salads, should be selected to help balance the other less-healthy foods. Baked sweet potato is preferable to Irish potato since the former has health-promoting carotenoids and is also associated with a lower glycemic index. Apples are rich in soluble fiber and contain a variety of flavonoids that provide protection against cardiovascular disease and cancer. Winter squashes, including pumpkins, are rich in betacarotene, lutein and other antioxidant carotenoids that help regulate cell growth. Preliminary research indicates that phytochemicals found in pumpkin may favorably effect insulin and glucose levels. Compounds isolated from pumpkin and fed daily to diabetic rats over six weeks caused significant reductions in blood glucose and blood lipids, indicating improvement in the diabetic condition. Cranberries are rich in fiber and antioxidants, such as anthocyanins and other flavonoids. These substances limit the growth of cancer cells and encourage them to self-destruct. Animals fed cranberries develop fewer and smaller cancers than those not consuming cranberries. Nuts and dried fruits make great holiday gift packages. Their use improves the nutritional quality of meals during the holiday season. Polyphenolic antioxidants in dried fruits protect DNA and LDL cholesterol from oxidative damage and lower the risk of cancer and heart disease. Dates have

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the highest concentration of polyphenols among the dried fruits while figs and prunes (dried plums) have the highest level of total antioxidants. Per ounce, dried fruits contain 2–4 gm of fiber but only 70–90 calories. They are rich in potassium (especially apricots) to help lower blood pressure. Figs have the highest calcium and fiber content, and apricots have the best supply of iron. Eating dried fruits produces a significantly lower insulin response than when snacks, such as a cookie or potato chips, are consumed. It’s important to maintain healthy lifestyle choices during the festive days at the year-end since added weight, over the holiday season, can be a challenging and, for some, depressing start to the new year. Sedentary living can be a real killer. In a recent study, the single biggest contributor to heart disease risk in middle-aged women was physical inactivity. Especially in older women, physical activity lowered the risk of heart disease even more than quitting smoking, losing weight or reducing blood pressure. Engaging in some physical activity gives some health benefits and is better than no activity at all. After analyzing 43 studies, researchers found that the risk of colon cancer was 54 percent higher for those who spent a lot of time sitting watching TV and 24 percent higher for those who spent the most time sitting at work, compared to those who spent the least time sitting. Winston J. Craig, Ph.D., RD, lives in Walla Walla, Washington. He is a professor emeritus of nutrition and wellness of Andrews University.

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PRESENT TRUTH Following the Lamb wherever he goes

Contemplating His Love b y T he E ditors The phrase “By beholding we become changed,” though a biblical principle, is a phrase Ellen White used on more than one occasion. The first was during a solemn appeal to the church at Battle Creek, Michigan, to avoid that which would lead us “from purity and holiness to depravity, corruption and crime.” The following article presents the positive, and how we can be changed into the likeness of Christ. She presented this in the context of the celebration of Christmas. —The editors

“P

eter, who once denied his Lord, was afterward forgiven by our Saviour, and entrusted with the work of feeding the flock of God. Yet, when condemned to death and about to suffer for Christ’s sake, the apostle begged that he might not be crucified in the same position as his Lord and Master, but that he might be nailed to the

cross with his head downward. He felt that it was too great an honor for him to be put to death in the same manner as his Saviour whom he had denied. Would it not be well if our consciences were more sensitive? If we could possess more of the same spirit of contrition and humility? At a time when we are professedly celebrating Christ’s birth, should we not keep self in the background? Would it not be more appropriate to abase self and to exalt Jesus?

“The perfection of our Saviour’s character awakens the admiration of angels and of men. Here is an exhaustless theme for thought. The brightest and most exalted of the sons of the morning heralded his glory at creation, and announced his birth with songs of gladness. They veil their faces before him as he sits upon his throne; they cast their crowns at his feet, and sing his triumphs as they behold his resplendent glory. Our souls are cold and dull because we do not dwell upon the matchless charms of our Redeemer. If we occupy our thoughts in contemplating his love and mercy, we shall reflect the same in our life and character; for by beholding, we become changed. Oh, the mysteries of redemption! Only by exalting Jesus and abasing self can we celebrate aright the birth of the Son of God. “As we stand on the threshold of a new year, there is need of an impartial examination of our hearts to dispel the pleasing illusions of self-love. Our condition is helpless and hopeless unless infinite mercy is granted us daily, and pardon is written against our names in the heavenly

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records. Those only who see and feel their spiritual necessities will go to Jesus for that help which they so much need, and which he only can give. He alone can cleanse us from all sin. He alone can place upon us the robe of righteousness” (Signs of the Times, January 4, 1883). This column is designed to promote searching the Scriptures on current topics — in community, through prayer. Invite others to join you in a prayerful response to these thoughts: • How can we “dwell” on the matchless charms of our Redeemer? • What are the results of “contemplating” Christ’s love and mercy? • How should we celebrate the birth of the Son of God? • What examples of infinite mercy have you experienced? • What has been your experience with Jesus when you expressed your need to be cleansed? The Lake Union Herald editors

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Conversations with

GOD

Agreeing in Prayer

b y A lvin J . V anderGriend

o describe the agreement of believers praying together on Earth, Jesus used a familiar sounding word. In the Greek Bible, it is sumphoneo, which means “sound together.” In English, it is usually translated “symphony.” Jesus used this word of Christians who, though as

different as instruments in an orchestra, prayed together with one mind and one heart. Their prayers sound together in the ears of God. Jesus says, If two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven (Matthew 18:19 NIV). The Father wants his children to come together in agreeing prayer. What makes agreeing prayer work is not simply a group of believers who come together to pray but, rather, believers who find Spirit-given, heart-felt harmony in prayer. In the very first prayer meeting, believers were all with one mind ... continually devoting themselves to prayer (Acts 1:14 NASB), and when the spiritual leaders were told to stop speaking of Jesus we read, they all, with one mind, made prayer to God (Acts 4:24 BBE). God responded to their agreeing prayers by filling them with the Holy Spirit and by shaking the building where they were meeting. When believers pray together with one mind, several wonderful things can be expected to happen. First, they are able to discern the will of God. To pray in Jesus’ name is to pray in union with him and in harmony with his will and purposes. When each of two or more believers hears God speak through his Spirit and each discerns God’s will, they can pray in accordance with his will (see 1 John 5:14). Second, God promises to answer agreeing prayer. What they have asked will be done ... by my

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Father in heaven, says Jesus. When “Earth” discovers and asks in accord with “Heaven’s” will, then “Heaven” will act in accord with “Earth’s” prayer. Third, pray-ers will experience Christ’s presence. Christ promises to be with believers who come together in his name. What they experience is Christ’s manifest presence, giving them assurance that he is there to bless them, guide them, and hear and answer their prayers. Finally, believers who pray agreeing prayer will experience the wonder of Christian community. Unity in prayer fosters community. United in Christ, they also are united with each other. Experiencing the presence of Christ, they experience anew the presence of others in whom Christ dwells. God promises to bless in these wonderful ways those who agree in prayer. But a promise only has value if it is claimed. God makes this promise to you. Do you have plans to claim it? Choose one other believer and agree to pray together for the Spirit’s fruit of love, joy and peace mentioned in Galatians 5:22. This would be a prayer in accord with God’s will. Alvin J. VanderGriend is co-founder of The Denominational Prayer Leaders Network and currently serves as evangelism associate for Harvest Prayer Ministries in Terre Haute, Indiana. This article is an excerpt from his book, Joy of Prayer. Reprinted with permission.

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SHARING our HOPE Gardening With a Purpose

“T

b y Bett y E aton

his is a great farm market,” exclaimed an eager customer. “I stop here two and three times a week and pick up fresh vegetables. My family and I love it!”

Betty Eaton

Started about three years ago, the CiOn several occasions, customers cero Farm Market was the idea of Karen spontaneously have shared their perand Duane Carlisle. They wanted to sonal challenges. One lady had cancer, use chemical-free gardening as a way so Karen prayed with her whenever she to reach out to the community. A small came. The woman passed away this sumbooth on the edge of their garden plot, mer but, before she passed, she requestacross from Indiana Academy, provides ed that a friend notify Karen when she a place to meet the public. passed and thank her for the time, enThis year, the growing season began The Cicero Farm Market in Indiana was couragement and support she had given. introduced to the community about three years with strawberries, spinach, three differ- ago by Karen and Duane Carlisle. “It is my Another lady, on her way to the hosent kinds of lettuce, kohlrabi, kale and heart’s desire that we represent Christ in what pital to see her husband, stopped by the we are doing,” Karen said. beets. These were followed by green produce booth. Karen was able to pray beans, cucumbers, zucchini, yellow squash, green peppers for her and her husband. With feeling, the lady responded, and eggplant. Then there were lots of tomatoes, corn and “Thank you so much for doing that.” three kinds of cabbage — red, green and Chinese. The seaThe garden was successful enough to employ one stuson ended with replanted cabbage and lettuce, along with dent two hours a day, five days a week. In the future, it is spaghetti squash and four varieties of potatoes — sweet, hoped an expansion will include hoop houses and greenred, Yukon gold and white. houses so the growing season can be extended and more An herb garden beside the booth provided a variety of students employed. fresh herbs. This year it included basil and oregano, stevia, Interest in the garden has been so high that many have marjoram, sage, pineapple sage, cinnamon basil, Thai basil chosen to volunteer, even from the community. Eightyand Greek oregano. year-old Rosie Mandrell is an example. She says, “I love Also planted along the front edge of the garden were this farm market! I’m up here all the time volunteering and flowers. Many customers enjoyed taking the scissors and helping out. I have made almost 500 jars of strawberry jam creating their own bouquet of fresh-cut blooms. Mums and numerous cookies to sell in the booth. I got myself into from a nursery in southern Indiana also were available. a big job, but I love it!” “With the Lord’s blessing, we are accomplishing our Karen sums up the purpose of the garden. “It is my goals,” says Karen. We have felt the missionary impact of heart’s desire,” she says, “that we represent Christ in what our presence through customer comments such as, “Oh, we are doing in this garden. We want to provide opportuniyes, I forget you are closed on Saturday,” or questions like, ties for others to participate, too.” “Do you go to church at the Adventist church up there?” Betty Eaton is the communications secretary of the Indiana Conference.

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T h e L a k e Un i o n He ra l d i s a v a i l a b l e o n l i n e .

CONE IONES E N

E S P A Ñ O L

Mantengan levantados los brazos de sus pastores y sus familias por C armelo M ercado Dejen que los miembros se despierten. Dejen que mantengan alzados los brazos de los ministros y obreros, llevando adelante los intereses de la causa. —Ministerio pastoral, p. 178

n el mes de agosto los pastores de las iglesias hispanas de las cinco asociaciones de la Unión del Lago se reunieron por un día en el nuevo edificio de la Unión para asistir a un seminario sobre liderazgo. El enfoque de los temas que presentó el pastor Mario Niño, director asociado del Departamento de Mayordomía de la

Asociación General, fue sobre la mayordomía. Me fue muy grato ver cuánto disfrutaron los pastores, no solamente de la enseñanza sino también de la camaradería entre colegas. Sabiendo que los pastores enfrentan con frecuencia serios desafíos tanto profesionales como personales, me dio mucha alegría verlos sonreír y relajarse en ese contexto. Me preocupa mucho la salud física y Norteamericana va a auspiciar una mental de los pastores. Se han realizado convención para pastores adventistas varios estudios acerca de la vida de los y sus familias que se llevará a cabo del pastores en este país y no hay duda que 28 de junio al 1° de julio del año 2015 muchos de ellos están en crisis. Hace en la ciudad de Austin, estado de Texas. cuatro años el periódico The New York Las uniones y las asociaciones darán Times publicó un artículo sobre las crisis una ayuda para que los pastores puedan por las cuales pasan muchos pastores. participar, pero es limitado lo que se Pastores hispanos de las cinco asociaciones reunidos Menciona que muchos de ellos sufren puede ofrecer. Los gastos consisten en el nuevo edificio de la Unión del Lago de obesidad, alta presión y depresión a en 1) la transportación a Texas, 2) el niveles más elevados que la mayoría de los estadounidenses. alojamiento por cuatro días y 3) dos comidas al día por cuatro Lamentablemente, el artículo informa también que muchos días. Quisiera sugerir que la junta de cada iglesia considere pastores cambiarían su carrera si pudieran hacerlo. Sin ayudar a su pastor pidiendo a cada hermano que dé una embargo, propone un remedio que les sería de mucha ayuda donación especial para que el pastor y su familia asistan a este pero que no acostumbran hacer. El remedio es relativamente evento. Se puede poner la ofrenda en un sobre de diezmos simple - que el pastor tome sus vacaciones. y ofrendas, escribir en el sobre “Convención de la familia La realidad es que nuestros pastores están siempre a la pastoral” y entregarlo al tesorero de iglesia. disposición de los hermanos, sus familias y de la asociación, y Mi oración es que esta propuesta se tome en cuenta en para muchos de ellos les es difícil tomar su tiempo libre y sus cada iglesia hispana y que el asistir a esta convención les sirva vacaciones. En mis años en el ministerio he visto a muchos de gran apoyo y bendición a los pastores, sus familias y a los pastores decaer en su salud y a sus familias caer en crisis miembros de iglesia. porque el pastor no ha puesto límites en su trabajo. Carmelo Mercado es el vicepresidente de la Unión del Lago. Deseo proponer una idea de algo que podrían hacer los miembros de iglesia para ayudar a sus pastores. La División

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TELLING GOD’S STORIES

God Is Faithful

b y S hirle y Geor g e A lonso

hile I was expecting our third child, I had two dreams. Little did I know these dreams would help anchor me through the most difficult times of my life. In the first dream, I saw my sister, Susan, carrying an infant in her arms and walking toward me. She handed me the baby, and I said, “The baby hasn’t eaten

all day.” I started to feed her. In the second dream, I saw a beautiful, healthy six-month-old baby with rosy, chubby cheeks.

The first dream I dismissed; it was nonsensical. How can a baby not eat all day? I thought. The second dream I believed to be a picture of the baby I was carrying. A day after my daughter Meghan’s birth, we heard the devastating news that she had Down syndrome. A few days later, we were saddened further Meghan and Shirley Alonso by her physician’s discovery that she had a heart defect which would require open-heart surgery in a few month’s time. Moreover, depending on the outcome of the first surgery, a second one might be necessary. When Meghan was three months old, her cardiologist informed us that her worsened condition required immediate surgery. Grief and despair filled our hearts. Although we had been told the surgery was inevitable, we prayerfully had hoped for a miracle. We had no guarantee Meghan would survive the ordeal without surgery; our only option was to proceed. We requested church elders to anoint and pray for her, according to James 5:14. Susan accompanied us to the hospital. The day before surgery, Meghan was scheduled to undergo various diagnostic tests. These tests required Meghan to be NPO (nothing by mouth) from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Finally, after the last exam was completed, Susan picked up Meghan from the bed and handed her to me. I said, “She hasn’t eaten all day,” and started to feed her. Then, it

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occurred to me, at that precise moment, that my nonsensical dream had come true! If my first dream had come true, surely my second dream of a healthy six-month-old also would come true. This hope, in the promise given by a dream, propelled me forward through this difficult road. God is faithful! After seven long, arduous days in the hospital, Meghan was discharged. It was unthinkable that Meghan may have to repeat this scenario. At discharge, the doctor relayed to me that Meghan’s heart repair was so extremely successful that she would qualify as a poster child for the surgery. She didn’t foresee a second surgery! I knew, in my heart, this outcome was a direct answer to prayer. In addition, a post-surgery examination, at home, by Meghan’s cardiologist, showed remarkable recovery. Although we don’t fully understand the whys of Meghan’s situation, we irrevocably can trust God in his omniscient wisdom. No matter what circumstances in which we may find ourselves, we can be certain he is by our side — guiding, providing and reassuring us every step of the way. And, lo, I’m with you always, even to the end of the world (Matthew 28:20 KJV). By the way, the second dream came true also — the resemblance was uncanny. Shirley George Alonso is a member of the Village Church in Berrien Springs, Michigan.

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A Sister’s Leading

b y J o y H y de

hen they were children, Robin Williams did not know her younger sister, Dawn Drumm. While taking a class on creating a family tree in college, Robin contacted her estranged family of three siblings, her father and step-mother. From that time forward, they were all one family. Robin’s new-found family

were Seventh-day Adventists. Robin was not.

Provided by Dawn Drumm

Through the years, Robin’s extended people who volunteered at the meetings. family got together for holidays, birthdays They were all “so nice,” she remembers. and family reunions. She was not interestBut more than anything else, Robin loved ed in her family’s religion, but was happy the message she heard preached night after with her life, husband and two children — night. She said, “Those things I was hearuntil her mother and father passed away, ing were amazing, and I knew they were and she lost her husband after only a weekthe truth!” Robin went to all the meetings. long illness. Barely a few months after her When the meetings ended at the husband died, Robin, herself, nearly died Robin Williams (right) and her sister, Dawn Community Center, Dawn went home. from congestive heart failure. Add to this Drumm, have fun at a Women’s Ministries retreat Robin continued to attend the Daniel and the stress, both emotional and financial, in April 2014 at Camp Au Sable in Grayling, Mich. Revelation seminars conducted by Steve related to raising two teenagers on her own. Needless to say, and the Metropolitan Church associate pastor, Joe Reeves, at a with all this in her life, Robin was not happy. rented church in Walled Lake, Michigan. In late summer 2013, Dawn called Robin. She asked if Robin Robin struggled with a couple of lifestyle changes. But, had received the flier in the mail inviting her to the upcoming eventually, they went by the wayside. On March 22, 2014, there meetings at the Wixom Community Center. Robin had. was a family reunion at the Lakes Area Seventh-day Adventist “If I go to the meetings, will you go with me?” Dawn asked. Church because Joe baptized Robin. Robin’s wonderful smile What made Dawn’s request distinctive is that though she beamed the whole day long. It was a grand, joyful day, but no one lives in Vestaburg, near Cedar Lake, Michigan, Robin lived was more content than Dawn, who saw her big sister accept the within walking distance from the Community Center and truths of holy Scripture. Now Dawn was assured Robin would Dawn was hoping to stay with Robin during the meetings. be with her sister throughout eternity. Robin’s one-word answer was, “No.” After her baptism, Robin’s smile was ever-present. EveryDawn was not to be deterred, but not without difficulty. She one saw the change in Robin. She shared her new-found faith. discussed her plan with her husband, and he agreed she should Her reading habits changed to include first the Bible, then the go stay with Robin. Dawn’s family had three cars — one each for Conflict of the Ages series, starting with Patriarch and Prophets. Robin herself, her husband and their son. The Sabbath before Dawn often said, “I still have the same problems but now I have peace.” planned to leave, her husband’s car broke down. Then, on SunIt would be so wonderful to be able to tell how Robin’s day, her son’s car broke down. That left only Dawn’s car, and her changed life continued to influence so many people. But sadly, husband needed it to get to work. Dawn had no transportation. Robin passed to her rest on August 15, 2014. On August 23, Dawn told Robin, “The devil is working awfully hard to stop more than 125 of her friends, family and co-workers filled the me from coming.” small Lakes Area Church sanctuary. As tears flowed, beneath Dawn’s mother-in-law took her to Robin. Sometimes, it the sadness there was joy, knowing that Robin fell asleep in Jetakes a family’s united effort to conquer the wily devil’s tactics. sus and the next thing she will see is her beloved Savior comWhen Dawn arrived, realizing all that she had encountered to ing in the clouds to take her home. That beautiful smile will be come for the visit, Robin agreed to go to one meeting with her. restored. Now the Holy Spirit really took charge — Robin was hooked. Joy Hyde is the communications secretary of the Metropolitan Church in She really cherished Michigan Conference evangelist Steve Vail’s Plymouth, Michigan. presentation techniques and personality, and especially liked the Vi s i t w w w. L a k e Un i o n He r a l d . o r g

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Christians and Creation Care b y J o A nn D avidson

t seems curious, even ironic, that Christians who believe in the Divine creation of this planet, and who maintain the importance of good stewardship of money, such as tithing, have been mostly silent about stewardship of anything else, even as critical issues concerning the environment gather more and more attention. Though Seventh-day

Adventists believe the world has exalted standing from its divinely-created status, we rarely have acknowledged that the biblical parameters of stewardship involve more than money. Our definition of stewardship needs to become more comprehensive. From the first chapter of Scripture to the end of the book of Revelation, one finds a robust doctrine of life. God loves this place!

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T h e L a k e Un i o n He ra l d i s a v a i l a b l e o n l i n e .

Scripture begins with God declaring good and very good in multiple repetitions of his personal joy over his handiworks. Both animals and humans are created with God getting his hands in the soil. And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground ... Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every fowl of the air.... (Genesis 2:7, 19 KJV). Both humans and animals are given the breath of life. Both are given identical blessings; however, birds and fish received their blessing on day five, before any humans were around to listen. And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:22 NASB). The next day, God places the new humans in a world, teeming with living creatures, and tells Adam and Eve the same thing in verse 28, Be fruitful and multiply, and then adds, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth. Adam and Eve are to rule the Earth with rulership already defined on day four: the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night, giving and sustaining life (see Genesis 1:16 KJV). Humans are told to care for their divinely-bestowed niche, which includes all other creatures who have been given life by God. Indeed, the new earthlings are set apart from the rest of the creatures in that they are created in the image of God (verse 26). The Creator declares he is a Shepherd in both the Old and New Testaments — a Shepherd that gives his life for the sheep, caring tenderly for them. Human beings, created in the image of God, should be like him in how they rule, care, serve and protect his creation. Both humans and animals also are given the violence-free, plant-based, vegetarian diet (see Genesis 1:29–31). Flesh meat was not on the menu. Animals and humans are together given seeds, fruits and green plants to eat — not each other! (see Genesis 1:30) The Sabbath comes as a generous environmental gift from the Creator. There are more verbs connected with the creation of this day (see Genesis 2:1–3) than any of the preceding six, with God blessing, resting and sanctifying it. Six days God created tangible matter. On the seventh day, he creates holy

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time. The first thing God makes holy is time! Six days work and one day rest become the rhythm of life. This weekly cycle is still embedded in our calendars, and it honors and protects all life. God even blesses the land by giving it a “sabbatical” every seven years. No other god of any other world religion does this — granting a unique gift of time! Abraham Heschel, a Jewish writer, recognizing this specialness, calls the Sabbath a “palace in time!” Rather than a negative prohibition or restriction, the Sabbath is a gift, a blessing. With modern technology, humans have begun to think that they control time and progress. The Sabbath liberates us from this bondage and delusion of materialism. We are freed to appreciate creation and to worship and praise the Creator! Some educators wonder if the computers and electronic technology that have emptied playgrounds and kept children from enjoying the outdoors is part of the reason for so many serious problems in schools.1 Sometime after Creation Week, Adam and Eve fall, which changes everything — including the environment, climate and the land itself (see Genesis 3). The problem is human. God’s affection for this place never waivers. Later, a global flood is necessitated by vile human wickedness. In mercy, God commands Noah to build an ark — to spare human and animal life, to keep the species alive on the face of all the earth (Genesis 7:3 NKJV). At the height of the deluge the text states, God remembered Noah ... and all the animals ... with him in the ark (Genesis 8:1 NKJV). After the Flood, the animals are explicitly included in the Divine covenant: I establish my covenant with you, and with your offspring after you, and with every living creature that is with you: the birds, the livestock, and every animal of the earth with you, of all that go out of the ship, even every animal of the earth. ... This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I set my rainbow in the cloud, and it will be a sign of a covenant between me and the earth (Genesis 9:9–13 WEB). The historical books instruct how sin affects creation: the LORD appeared to Solomon by night and said to him: If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek

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Each person can make a difference. Creation care is a significant way we can show appreciation to the Creator for the gift of life. my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:12–14 NIV). The created world inspired many of the prayers and hymns in the Psalter. Note the voices in one choir: Praise the LORD from the earth, You great sea creatures and all the depths, Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word; Mountains and all hills, Fruit trees and all cedars; Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and flying fowl; Kings of the earth and all peoples, Princes and all judges of the earth! Both young men and maidens; Old men and children. Let them praise the name of the LORD... (Psalm 148:7–13 NKJV). Most Christians are not sensitive to nature’s praise of the Creator, one of the least understood topics in Scripture. One composer did notice, however, and wrote the Christian “Doxology”: “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below!” The prophets are provocative, insisting that human sin causes deterioration and pollution. For example: The earth mourns and fades away, The world languishes and fades away; The haughty people of the earth languish. The earth also is defiled under its inhabitants; Because they have transgressed the law, Changed the ordinance, Broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore has the curse devoured the earth... (Isaiah 24:5–6 KJV). Hosea records God’s promise that, ultimately, the original perfection of Creation will be restored — in language remarkably similar to Noah’s covenant: In that day I will make a covenant for

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them With the beasts of the field, And the birds of the air And the creatures that move along the ground. Bow and sword and battle I will abolish from the land, So that all may lie down in safety (Hosea 2:18 NIV). Biblical descriptions of the final removal of sin and restoration of Eden perfection include not just the golden streets but, also, the animals! For example: God through Isaiah, The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, ... and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD... (Isaiah 11:6–9 NIV).

New Testament The same “theology of life” also is found in the New Testament. Jesus speaks of his affection for animals, stressing that even the lowliest of creatures is cherished: Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God (Luke 12:6 NIV); not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it (Matthew 10:29 NLT). Jesus demonstrates a fundamental creation care issue when, after miraculously feeding thousands with a small boy’s lunch, he commands that all leftovers be carefully gathered up so that nothing will be lost (John 6:12 NASB). We, too often, forget that every meal is a “miracle” and waste so much food. Though promising a glorious kingdom where he will wipe every tear from every eye and remove death and crying (see Revelation 21:4), Jesus did not just endure the present. He was constantly healing, even raising the dead (see Matthew 8:16 and John 11:38–44), offering salvation to both body and soul, in a preview of his perfect kingdom. He proves he has the power to accomplish his promises and fulfill the anthem the angels sang at his birth, linking Glory to God in the highest with peace on earth (Luke 2:14 NLT). The Apostle Paul has the same rich theology of life: For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and ... on earth, visible and invisible .... and by Him all things hold together (Colossians. 1:16–17). Paul also speaks of future environmental renewal, echoing Old Testament sentiments of this present world suffering from human sin: For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.... creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now (Romans 8:19–22 KJV). After the seventh trumpet sounds in Revelation 11, the 24 elders cry out against those who have wrecked havoc on creation: We give You thanks O Lord God Almighty ... because You have taken

T h e L a k e Un i o n He ra l d i s a v a i l a b l e o n l i n e .

Your great power and reigned.... You should ... destroy those who destroy the earth (Revelation 11:17–18 NASB). The Apocalypse doesn’t end there, however, but concludes with the resplendent restoration Old Testament prophets promised earlier, reminding again that redemption involves the renewal of creation with the material world participating! Salvation is never depicted as escaping from the Earth but, rather, reclaiming it! Jesus comes again to restore this damaged planet — not annihilate it. When he destroys sin and evil, the material world, hampered and crippled because of sin, will be reestablished in its original glory! Environmentalists outside the biblical tradition have not been successful in arguing for such high worth. Seventhday Adventists believe God created this very good world (Genesis 1:31 NIV), and he remains a concerned landlord, active in and through it all, For in him we live and move and have our being... (Acts 17:28 NIV). As the ancient Levites chanted, You alone are the Lord; You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and everything on it, ... and You preserve them all... (Nehemiah 9:6 NKJV). It should not be surprising that creation care is embedded in Scripture! Seventh-day Adventists could, thereby, be honoring the Creator by recycling, preserving water and composting, etc., and exhibiting the link of the plant-based diet to environmental issues. If we were to think more biblically about stewardship, we would have a more benevolent attitude toward the created world. We don’t even have to resolve the debate on global warming. Biblical motivation for creation care, grounded in thankfulness and appreciation for life, is far advanced of contemporary environmental ethics. Creation care is good stewardship as God’s image bearers. Adventist hope of the future kingdom and concern for stewardship for the present Earth should be natural partners — just like it was for Jesus. Principles for living in both worlds issue from, and are demonstrated by, the Creator. Appreciation for the extraordinary gift of life is our motive because this present life matters. A reverence for life flows naturally from such an attitude. Though we anticipate the restored world, we, too, can guard the priceless gift of life. Contrary to other religious traditions, the material world is not an illusion. Salvation is Earthaffirming. From the beginning of Scripture through the last book, one finds an impressive doctrine of life. From the very outset, we find that the scriptural assignment of “dominion” is a stewardship ethic. Though fallen, this present world is still of inestimable value to the Creator.

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This “nest” of ours is not, as other origin accounts suggest, the result of some battle among the gods, nor the accidental outcome of impersonal forces. It was made in great joy with the Creator declaring it very good. Though never worshiped, it is honored and cherished in Scripture. There is no confusion between the Creator and creation. There is no gnostic slant denigrating the material world and the human body as a prison to be escaped. There is no hierarchy of spirit over matter in Scripture. All life matters. Both body and soul are divinely valued. Resurrection day will begin to erase all that has been lost because of sin. We await the future kingdom of peace when all creation will be restored with us. In the meantime, thankfully, there are now many helpful resources that can inform our stewardship. Each person can make a difference. Creation care is a significant way we can show appreciation to the Creator for the gift of life. As my understanding increases of God’s vast wisdom, displayed in the many interdependent ecosystems and interlinking of all life, my worship of him is filled with more awe. Jo Ann Davidson is a professor of theology at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. 1. See Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder, by Richard Louv (Paperback — April 10, 2008).

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God’s Messages in Nature

b y E llen W hite

od gave to men the memorial of His creative power, that they might discern Him in the works of His hand. The Sabbath bids us behold in His created works the glory of the Creator. And it was because He desired us to do this that Jesus bound up His precious lessons with the beauty of natural things. On the holy rest day,

above all other days, we should study the messages that God has written for us in nature. We should study the Saviour’s parables where He spoke them, in the fields and groves, under the open sky, among the grass and flowers. As we come close to the heart of nature, Christ makes His presence real to us, and speaks to our hearts of His peace and love. Ellen White was a co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This is an excerpt from “God’s Messages in Nature,” in her book, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 165.

Kindness to Animals

b y E llen W hite

f Jesus in His early years the Bible says, The child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon Him. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:40, 52).

His mind was bright and active. He was of quick understanding, and showed a thoughtfulness and wisdom beyond His years. Yet His ways were simple and childlike, and He grew in mind and body as other children grow. But Jesus was not in all things like other children. He always showed a sweet, unselfish spirit. His willing hands were always ready to serve others. He was patient and truthful.

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Firm as a rock in standing for the right, He never failed to be gentle and courteous toward all. In His home, and wherever He might be, He was like a cheerful sunbeam. He was thoughtful and kind toward the aged and the poor, and He showed kindness even to the dumb animals. He would care tenderly for a little wounded bird, and every living thing was happier when He was near. Ellen White was a co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This is a reprint from “Kindness to Animals,” in her book The Story of Jesus, p. 29.

T h e L a k e Un i o n He ra l d i s a v a i l a b l e o n l i n e .

Recycling Is Good Stewardship Go

V e g etarian ! D on ’ t W aste C ompost ! R ec y cle !

] Overall, Americans recovered 34 percent of waste generated in 2009. That means we threw away 161 million tons of material, which amounts to about three pounds of garbage per person per day. ] In 2009, Americans recycled 82 million tons of materials. The resulting CO2 emission reduction is equivalent to taking 33 million passenger vehicles off the road. ] The recyclable materials in the U.S. waste stream would generate over $7 billion if they were recycled. Aluminum Recycling ] In the United States, over 100,000 aluminum cans are recycled each minute. ] Twenty recycled cans can be made with the energy needed to produce one can using virgin ore. ] Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run your television for three hours. ] The amount of energy saved just from recycling cans in 2010 is equal to the energy equivalent of 17 million barrels of crude oil, or nearly two days of all U.S. oil imports. ] Tossing away an aluminum can wastes as much energy as pouring out half of that can’s volume of gasoline.

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Electronics Recycling ] Only 8 percent (by weight) of all mobile phones no longer in use in 2009 were collected for recycling. ] The average consumer replaces their mobile phone every 20.5 months. Glass Recycling ] Over a ton of natural resources are conserved for every ton of glass recycled. ] A glass container can go from a recycling bin to a store shelf in as few as 30 days. ] Recycling one glass bottle saves enough energy to light a 100-watt light bulb for four hours, power a computer for 30 minutes, or a television for 20 minutes. Paper Recycling ] In 2010, Americans trashed enough paper to cover 26,700 football fields in paper three feet deep. ] Eighty-seven percent of Americans (268 million) have access to curbside or drop-off paper recycling programs. ] Producing recycled paper takes 40 percent less energy than producing paper from virgin wood pulp. ] It takes 24 trees to make one ton of uncoated virgin (non-recycled) printing and office paper.

F ood !

] Recycled paper production creates 74 percent less air pollution and 35 percent less water pollution than virgin paper production. Plastics Recycling ] In 2009, the plastic bottle recycling rate reached a record high of 2.5 billion pounds, or 28 percent of all plastic bottles consumed in the United States. ] In 2009, $485 million worth of plastic was wasted in the United States. That’s enough for 1,000 households to live on the U.S. median income for nearly a decade. ] Every pound of recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate) used in place of virgin material reduces energy use in plastic production by 84 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by 71 percent. Steel Recycling ] In 2009, Americans threw away 10.39 million tons of steel. That amounts to more than $3 billion in wasted material, or enough to buy lunch for everyone in the United States! ] Recycling steel and tin cans saves between 60 and 74 percent of the energy used to produce them from raw materials. Source: http://bit.ly/keepamericabeautiful, retrieved Sept. 30, 2014.

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Trusting God’s Faithfulness

b y C urt D e W itt onna Myers, one of my church members, came to me some weeks ago, beaming from ear to ear. She plopped down in a chair in my office and said reservedly, but with noticeable anticipation, “I’ve got a praise to share with you.”

Donna is one of those hardworking church members who gives her time, effort and often what little money she has to help others, including our school and church family. She is married to Rick, a non-attending Seventh-day Adventist. They have been married for a number of years while raising her grandson, almost from birth. “All right, I’m all ears. Tell me!” I responded with a little of my own enthusiasm, expecting a typical blessing like, “My doctor gave me the clean bill of health!” or “I gave a GLOW tract to someone in Walmart and had a good chat.” Little did I realize how her praise would end up impacting my own perspective about the wonderful faithfulness of our loving Father in Heaven. “Well, this past week,” she explained, “Rick won $300 from a radio station contest. So I called him at work and told him he needed to call within the next ten minutes or else he would lose the money. He did so, and, later, we went to pick

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up the money. As he counted the money, I asked him, ‘You are going to pay tithe on that money, right?’” Rick looked at Donna and then smugly remarked, “No, I’m not paying tithe on this money. It’s obviously not doing you any good. You’re always broke. You are always borrowing from me.” Donna, always ready for a good, healthy banter, took up the challenge. “All right, I will just have to pray and ask God to bring some blessings on my side of the ledger.” Rick kept a meticulous bookkeeping of all incoming bills, expenses and outgoing payments for groceries and other things. Donna continued, “The next day was my birthday, and I received a card from my sister, which is pretty normal. I was shocked when I opened it and looked inside. For the first time ever, there was a bunch of twenties — $200 in total!” A smile began to spread across my face as she continued. “I showed Rick, and praised God for his blessing.

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“He immediately said, ‘That’s not from God. Your sister I have read Malachi 3 many times before but, for some reajust had some extra money this time around, and sent it.’” son, it has taken on a whole new meaning in my life. Bring all Donna said she started to count out her tithe right away, the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try which raised his ire a bit. “What are you doing now?” Me now in this, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open for you the win“Taking my tithe out,” she responded matter-of-factly. dows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room “You don’t have to pay tithe on birthday gifts!” Rick said enough to receive it (Malachi 3:10 NKJV). adamantly. God truly had opened the windows of Heaven for his “Oh, yes, I do. I always pay my tithe faithfully on all money faithful, tithe-paying servant. At the end of our first converGod brings me,” Donna calmly replied. sation, before news of the $1,400 arrived, I looked at Donna Rick continued, “That $200 is not from God, I’m telling and said, “God loves you an awful lot. Do you realize how you! It’s just a coincidence. Now if your son starts paying special you are to him?” child support, then I’ll believe!” Her heartfelt response shouldn’t have surprised me: “God I laughed as Donna continued her must love Rick an awful lot.” soon-to-be amazing story. “Well, PasI felt like I was on holy ground, sittor, that same day, one hour later, I got ting at the feet of Jesus as I contemon the computer to check my online plated her unselfish spirit that desbanking and was amazed to see an experately wanted her husband to find tra $462. I thought to myself, Hmmm, the peace that comes from knowing that’s strange. I wonder where that extra money Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and came from? After checking the records, Savior. She recognized that God was I realized that, for the first time ever blessing her to draw Rick to himself. in 13 years, my son actually had paid I saw Rick a couple of days later, his child support!” and he was joking around a bit when At this point, I was flabbergasted, I asked him about the story. “Rick, to say the least. “Wow, that’s just what do you think about all this?” He amazing! What a God!” I said grinhesitated some, not sure what to say. ning from ear to ear. “That deserves I continued on, “What happened to Donna Myers (right) faithfully returns tithe to God, and a high-five!” I said as we slapped our you and Donna, with all this money she receives his blessings numerous times. Curt DeWitt, hands together, both praising God pastor of the Warren and Sterling Heights churches in and tithing thing, is proof that there Michigan, rejoices with Donna. from whom all blessings flow. is a God because only God could When I returned home, I began calling some family mem- make something like this happen.” He didn’t disagree. bers, sharing this incredible story and hearing the same reac“Aren’t you amazed by all this?” I prodded a bit further. tion from them. Later that evening, after the Sabbath had Finally, he humbly nodded his head “yes,” knowing full well begun, I received a phone call from Donna. he couldn’t deny his feelings. “You aren’t going to believe this, Pastor!” she said increduI have thought often, since that day, about Donna’s story. lously. Each time, I am determined, more than ever before, to be I began to smile and responded, “You aren’t serious?” faithful in returning my tithes and giving love offerings to “Yes, I am! Today, I received a call from Social Security, and this most amazing God who died for me. I long for each they told me they found a mistake in their records, and they and every Seventh-day Adventist member the world over owed me some money from the past year. Pastor, it was more to experience God’s faithfulness. As I write this story, my than $1,400!” thoughts are carried heavenward. I can almost hear God’s “Are you kidding me?” I almost didn’t know what to say at voice tenderly speaking to his precious, faithful, tithe-paying this point. daughter along with her humble witness to others: Those who Donna started laughing over the phone. “I am serious!” honor Me I will honor (I Samuel 2:30 NIV) and The LORD reAfter hanging up, I sat in my chair in amazement, think- warded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my ing about God and how wonderful he truly is. I immediately hands He has recompensed me (Psalm 18:20 NKJV). made plans to share this story in my sermon the next day as Curt DeWitt is pastor of the Warren and Sterling Heights churches in this news just had to get out to as many people as possible. Michigan.

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Kurt Martz

Kurt Martz follows family tradition of giving back to his community In 1997, Kurt Martz could have found a satisfying, well-paying job at any number of companies or organizations. After studying the trades in college, he was an expert in heating, cooling and mechanical maintenance. But, instead, he made a decision to return to Adventist Hinsdale Hospital where he worked as a janitor in the mid-1980s while attending academy. “I learned many different systems as a technician, but it was the experience of feeling like a part of the healing ministries that helped me decide to make health care my career,” said the 40-year-old Darien resident. “Plus, I was drawn back to Adventist because it is a faith-based organization. I am a Seventh-day Adventist, and its mission and goals are aligned with mine.”

Adventist Hinsdale Hospital also was the place where his father, Larry Martz, a carpenter, worked on the construction crew from 1983 until his retirement in 2005. Today, Martz is director of plant operations at Adventist Hinsdale and Adventist La Grange Memorial hospitals, a job in which he oversees 33 employees and a combined, two-hospital facility of 1.6 million square feet. In August, Martz was named an Emerging Leader for Region 5 by the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) at the group’s annual convention in Chicago. ASHE honored Martz because of his contributions to health care engineering and facilities management as well as design and construction, and safety. Region 5 includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. “Not only is he an outstanding leader, Kurt is deeply devoted to Christ, his family and his church,” said Michael J. Goebel, chief executive

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officer, Adventist Hinsdale and Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospitals. “He lives and breathes the mission of our hospital and the beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.” While Martz appreciates the recognition from ASHE and his local chapter, he believes the main benefit of his award is being able to attend annual leadership forums over the next several years. “All buildings have nuts and bolts, but it is very different working at a medical facility,” Martz said. “Our industry is highly regulated and so many authorities have jurisdiction, from OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) to the National Fire Protection Agency.” According to Martz, his typical day takes a course of its own. He may have to deal with failed air conditioning or plumbing systems, any malfunction that might impact patient care if not immediately repaired. There also is a lot of planning and preventive maintenance, such as determining when to replace roofing, engage in tuck pointing, pavement resurfacing, or patching and painting. Martz and his wife Arlene met while they were students at the former Broadview Academy. Their son A.J. is 12 and daughter Peyton is 8. They attend the Fil-Am Church in Hinsdale, where he chairs the building committee and serves as a deacon. Martz also has served on a local school board. He is following a family tradition. “Both of my parents have demonstrated a strong work ethic to me and my five siblings, as well as the importance of giving back to the community, either through their time or financial resources,” Martz said. “I’m blessed to have engaged parents who, to this day, volunteer many hours a week in their Florida community.” Julie Busch, regional director of communications, Adventist Midwest Health

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Karl Haffner repackages Morris Venden Week of Prayer “I loved Morris Venden when I was a kid, and that admiration just increased as I grew into adulthood,” says Karl Haffner, senior pastor at Kettering Adventist Church in Ohio. This fall, Haffner presented a special week of prayer at Andrews University, repackaging a week of prayer series Venden presented on the same campus in 1975. “I have a recording of that 1975 Week of Prayer series, and I can’t stop listening,” he says. “For three years, I’ve been working on a book that gives those sermons a new voice — old theology for a new generation.” The series theme is “righteousness by faith through a personal relationship with Jesus.” While preparing his sermons, Haffner asked on Facebook if anyone had been present at Venden’s series in 1975. He was flooded with responses, some saying it was the most spiritually

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Becky St. Clair, media communications manager, Division of Integrated Marketing & Communication

Brian Tagalog

Joshua Martin

Karl Haffner, senior pastor of Kettering Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ohio, speaks at the Fall Week of Prayer at Andrews University. “My long-term goal was to give students tools to re-energize, renew or start something big in their lives — a personal walk with Christ that takes them well into the future.”

Department of Engineering & Computer Science awarded ABET accreditation

defining, life-transforming experience of their lives. “That was 40 years ago,” notes Haffner. “This series was very impactful that long ago, and I felt that if we could have even a small portion of that conviction and revival again, I’d praise the Lord for that.” When asked how he felt it went, Haffner says, thoughtfully, that he can’t be sure. “It wasn’t Pastor Venden that sparked the revival in 1975, it was the Spirit of God,” he says. “I’ve given it all to God, and it was his week, not mine. I did the best I knew how, and the rest is up to him.” Venden is known to have said that the week he preached was not a week of prayer, but that he simply was giving his listeners tools for the next week to be a week of prayer, and the week after that, and the week after that. “Forty years later, people still testify that they are reaping the benefits,” says Haffner. He quotes Venden again: “I don’t want a week of prayer; I want a lifetime of prayer until Jesus comes.” Haffner shares Venden’s goal of encouraging people in a daily walk with the Lord. He says, “My long-term goal was to give students tools to re-energize, renew or start something big in their lives — a personal walk with Christ that takes them well into the future.”

Andrews University students place response cards on the front steps of Pioneer Memorial Church after an appeal at Week of Prayer.

Following the ABET Accreditation Focused Visit by the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) which took place in October 2013, we are pleased that the Andrews University Computing Program has been “ABET accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission.” After the successful general review visit by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) in fall 2013, the faculty and staff of the Engineering Program are ecstatic that we continue to be “ABET accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.” “We work hard to provide a high caliber program for a quality education for all of our students, and a positive professional working environment for our faculty,” says George Agoki, chair of the Department of Engineering & Computer Science, “and we are thrilled that this environment continues to include ABET accreditation.” The Computing Program is offered in the Department of Engineering & Computer Science and leads to the Computing (Bachelor of Science) degree. There are two emphases available: Computer Science and Software Systems. The Engineering Program is offered in the Department of Engineering & Computer Science and leads to the Engineering (Bachelor of Science) degree. There are two emphases available: Mechanical Engineering and Electrical & Computer Engineering. To learn more about these programs, visit http://www.andrews.edu/ecs or email engineering@andrews.edu. Becky St. Clair, media communications manager, Division of Integrated Marketing & Communication

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Alpine Christian School students plan for godly service Illinois—Students attending Alpine Christian Academy will perform helpful, godly service in Rockford, Ill., and surrounding communities, during the 2014–2015 school year. This service is intended to be a blended experience that utilizes aspects of what they are learning in their classes. First, “A Reason for Handwriting with Scripture Verses & Outreach” series is incorporated to augment writing and penmanship instruction. As the students’ writing improves, they will compose and/or copy beautiful, encouraging messages, in their best penmanship, on specially prepared sheets. They then will decorate and package these messages to be delivered to local nursing homes, hospitals, homeless shelters and other outreach venues. Older students continue this year to assist in the school kitchen, performing after-lunch clean-up duty under the direction of the school dietician. Boy and girl volunteers cheerfully pitch in to clear the kitchen of its daily accumulation of utensils, cups, trays, pots and pans. The help is greatly appreciated by the kitchen staff. As an extension of this, students are encouraged to adopt the spirit of service in their own homes by developing and practicing a personal pitch-in-and-help approach. Ordinary tasks they may

Alpena Elementary School students share more than bananas Michigan—The Alpena Elementary School has been busy going on God’s errands. As with many other Bible Labs programs, students have cleaned yards,

During the 2014–2015 school year, Alpine Christian School students will present new music at several Adventist churches in the Illinois Conference. They hope to bless the congregations who will listen.

have ignored or left for their parents to accomplish — like making up beds, helping with the dishes, tidying up their rooms, taking out the trash, and a host of other chores — are to be the focus of this charity-begins-at-home effort to encourage in the students a positive, practical service work ethic. Plans this year also include a visit to a local public elementary school or two to sing and share the love of Christ by reading to the younger children and interacting with them in ways that demonstrate Christ’s method of caring for others. Children in Adventist schools are trained, on a daily basis, in the law of kindness. The world is in need of our children to demonstrate God’s way of life and to spread his messages of love, acceptance and cooperation. It is hoped these excursions will provide opportunities for the students to accomplish this.

Finally, the Alpine Christian School student choir is preparing new music to present on tour to several Adventist churches in the Illinois Conference. These performances will take place on Sabbath mornings during the 11:00 a.m. worship service. Similar experiences last year encouraged the school to continue the effort, as it seemed to be a tremendous blessing to the congregations reached. You are invited to view a short video clip of the students performing at the Rockford Church, at http://bit.ly/AlpineChristian. Readers are asked to keep the school in your prayers as these and other related endeavors are accomplished.

visited nursing homes, sold magabooks and delivered baked goods to shut-ins. However, one of their largest priorities has been handing out GLOW (Giving Light to Our World) tracts all over town. They love to get creative with how they do this. One of the most memorable ways is to attach GLOW tracts to bananas. They tie a banana health information

card and GLOW tract to the banana, load a wagon, and head out to greet the people. Students go in and out of businesses, handing the bananas out even along the street. They greet each person with a smile, accompanied by “Have a happy and healthy day!” as they hand the person a banana. Almost always, the reply is a smile or a “thank you,” and a happy look of amazement.

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John Mosley, principal, Alpine Christian Academy

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Amy Austin

Through this project, those involved have been able to tell people about the school and church as well as share that Jesus loves them. Last Fourth of July, participants took this banana idea even further and handed out about 2,400 bananas, with tracts attached, in the local town parade. People were thrilled to receive a healthy snack and cheered the students all the way. Through this project and many like it, students are planting seeds that will hopefully sprout and grow for eternity. Through the Bible Labs program, students are making a name for the Adventist school and for Jesus. When they are out doing other programs, people will ask, “Aren’t you the people who handed out bananas?” Sometimes, other church members will let us know that someone they work with received one of the banana “treats.”

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Alpena Elementary School students distribute health information cards and GLOW (Giving Light to Our World) tracts attached to bananas as a Bible Labs project. These treats are received warmly in their community.

Even more recently, students have handed out GLOW tracts with attached items such as mints, Lifesavers, raisin boxes, apple cider, gum, Christmas survival packs and more. This past year, they claimed Isaiah 52:7 as the Bible Labs verse of the year, which says, How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things,

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Indianapolis churches minister to homeless veterans Lake Region—In 2006, under the direction of Leon Bryant, then pastor of the Capitol City Church in Indianapolis, a Bible study group was initiated for homeless veterans who participate in the Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation of Indiana. HVAF is a program in Indianapolis which aims “to help homeless veterans return to self-sufficiency and engage at-risk veterans to prevent them from becoming homeless by providing supportive housing, case management, food, hygiene and clothing as well as other essential services,” according to its website. The Bible study group for homeless veterans is the first of its kind offered by Lake Region Conference Indianapolis-area churches and the only veterans ministry in Indianapolis. Its motto is “Helping Spiritually-Disconnected

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Sherri Headen, Air Force chaplain, and Tom Harris, Veterans Ministry leader, contribute their time and energy weekly to serve veterans. They offer a Bible study and answer questions from Scripture, after the ministry addresses the veterans’ most pressing needs.

Veterans Out of Spiritual Darkness Reconnect to the Light of God.” The Veterans Ministry team accomplishes this by first addressing the veterans’ most pressing needs, e.g.,

who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’ (NKJV) That is what participants want to do — share the good news of Jesus with their community. If you would like to find out more about some of the Alpena Elementary School Bible Labs projects, please visit http://www.biblelabs.blogspot.com. Amy Austin, member, Alpena Church

referring veterans to resources that assist the homeless, connecting them to Veterans Administration services, providing food, informing of mental health services, assisting with employment, etc. Next, the ministry team helps the veterans discover or rediscover Jesus. They offer Bible studies and, also, invite the homeless veterans to worship services to aid in their spiritual journey. The studies are provided by chaplain Sherri Headen of the Emmanual Praise Center and Thomas Harris, Veterans Ministry leader of the Capitol City Church. The Bible study leaders have instructed as many as six veterans at a time, but the number fluctuates as the veterans enter or leave the HVAF program. “Since June 2013, Veterans Ministry leader Tom Harris and Air Force chaplain Sherri Headen have contributed their time and energy to serving our veterans in the HVAF Recovery Program every week by offering them a Bible study on Thursday nights. Our veterans in this program have very positive things to say about the

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Bible study run by individuals who can connect with them, having themselves served [in] our Armed Forces. “One veteran noted that he felt welcomed in the group and appreciated the emphasis on studying Scripture. Another veteran put it simply, ‘It has helped me with my spirituality.’ We know that recovery and spirituality come hand in hand, and we appreciate

their continued efforts to serve them this way,” stated Curtis Williamson, a licensed social worker with the REST program of HVAF. The Veterans Ministry works with churches of all denominations to establish ministries for veterans with their churches, and offers a workshop to teach laypersons how to minister personally to veterans and their families.

Young adults from the ASI Youth for Jesus program spoke at designated church sites during the “Keys of Revelation” series that began July 7 in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Collaborative efforts impacts Western Michigan Michigan—For the past 15 years, the Adventist-laymen’s Services & Industries (ASI) Youth for Jesus program has flooded large cities across America with enthusiastic young people looking to spend a portion of their summer in evangelistic outreach. Last year, ASI Youth for Jesus leaders approached the Michigan Conference and District 4 leadership to see if their youth participants could have four church sites to hold their annual prophecy series prior to their ASI International Convention. A larger-scale picture emerged from internal discussions between Conference leadership and District 4 pastors. In January 2014, a district-wide rally was held at the Rogers Heights

Spanish Church. To a packed auditorium, Conference leaders, ASI representatives and laymen shared their vision of reaching the entire Grand Rapids metro area with the gospel. Twentytwo churches across western Michigan signed up to take part in the summer series, “Keys of Revelation.” Pre-work began in earnest, following the rally. Aside from advertising at the health expos, radio and Internet ads, strategic billboards, handbills and specialized GLOW (Giving Light to Our World) tracts were used to inform the public of the seminars. ASI youth speakers spent time with Mark Howard, director of Emmanuel Institute of Evangelism in Pullman, Mich., gaining some practical tips and information before the series began. Opening night of “Keys of Revelation” was Monday, July 7. Conference personnel, pastoral

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For additional information, contact Tom Harris by email at teharris87@ yahoo.com or call 317-294-9392. Diane Thurber, associate director of communication, Lake Union Conference with Tom Harris, Veterans Ministry leader, Capitol City Church

staff and laymen preached at nonASI sponsored sites, while ASI youth preached at their four sites. First-time visitors on opening night numbered around 400, and stayed consistent throughout the series. Now that the series has concluded, guests are being integrated into mid-week studies on Daniel and Revelation and will, by God’s grace, follow Jesus’ example of baptism. Reports are coming in of visitors who have had life-changing experiences as a result of the meetings. One couple faithfully attended the seminar at the Holland Church until he tragically suffered a stroke. While in the hospital, the gentleman received multiple visits from church members who were concerned about him. He was so impressed that he remarked, “I can’t wait to get out of this hospital and get back to the meetings!” One Sunday afternoon before the series began, another story is told of a gentleman who came into contact with young people from ASI and the National Association for the Prevention of Starvation (NAPS), a traveling youth ministry team from Oakwood University. They were enjoying a picnic in Millennium Park when he struck up a conversation with one of them. They then invited him to join them for lunch. When he inquired what they were doing in Grand Rapids, they quickly got a handbill and showed him the nearest series site: Maranatha Fellowship. He attended all the meetings and now is preparing for baptism! At the Wright Church, one visitor remarked that coming to the seminar caused her to realize there is more

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to being a Christian than just weekly church attendance. She now is involved in personal Bible studies. Another visitor mentioned positively that in comparison to the other church he attends, the Adventist church uses Scripture heavily. It is actually preparing him for the Second

Coming by looking into the prophecies in Revelation, whereas his other church has never even opened that book! The Grand Rapids area could be considered difficult territory because of its heavily churched population, but the Holy Spirit has been working behind the scenes to accomplish miracles in

The health fair was planned to help lead individuals to Jesus, and it, along with the “Fit & Free Seminars” were precursors to the July 7 “Keys of Revelation” evangelistic series in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Churches work together in health evangelism Michigan—What happens when churches with one purpose work together to reach a city? They impact both the physical and spiritual. On May 4, West Michigan Adventists, from rural and urban churches, joined efforts to provide a health awareness day for Michigan’s second largest city, Grand Rapids. The plan was to provide full coverage for the metropolitan area, such that all residents had easy access to their health outreach. Three suburban locations on major business routes served outlying communities, and a landmark public high school hosted the core city site. The team presented the Health Education Resources (HER) “Health Expo” program. The Health Expo presents, in a user-friendly, accessible way with a powerful impact, the “Eight

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Laws of Health” Ellen White gave the Seventh-day Adventist Church. HER president Charles Cleveland joined the health fair, visiting two sites with a video production team from Outpost Centers International (OCI) for features on Three Angels’ Broadcasting Network (3ABN), the Hope Channel and other Adventist networks. Lifestyle Matters, the Michigan Conference Health Ministries Department outreach ministry, provided the coordination. Vicki Griffin and Evelyn Kissinger rotated between the four sites, supporting presenters at each location. Michigan Conference pastors Daniel Ferraz and Bob Benson joined in giving technical support and encouragement. No event happens without key leaders and faithful volunteers. Thirty-five people gathered three weeks before the Grand Rapids health fair to organize the event. They selected site coordinators for each of the four locations. These coordinators did a magnificent job

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people’s lives. Only time will tell the incredible impact that “Keys of Revelation” has had on the Grand Rapids metro area and western Michigan. Look for good reports of God’s leading in the months ahead!

Beth Thomas, member, Grand Haven Church

recruiting the 200 volunteers and running each of the sites. The health fair sites included the central city and three close suburbs. The inner city location was co-sponsored by the Academy of Health Science and Tech at the Innovation Central High School. A northwestern suburban bedroom community offered their Ice and Fitness Center for one of the fair sites. A beautiful, large, new car dealership with two large, windowed showrooms offered their prime real estate location for the southeast site. In the southwest, a large suburban high school gym was rented. Direct mailing sent to thousands brought people to each of the four locations. This was supplemented with public service messages, radio interviews and two digital highway billboards. Church members also placed posters in stores and schools, as well as invited friends and family. Between the four sites, about 400 people attended. The core city site security guards told leaders they were impressed with how their volunteers worked together so harmoniously, even hugging each other. The public school wants to host the event again next year. Positive outcomes included people with unknown high blood pressure and sugar conditions addressing their health risks. Volunteers reported that people decided to quit smoking, which had been an issue to their joining the church. Others went to their health professionals to treat their newly-identified risks. One person reportedly got help the same day! Through information gained from drawings, contacts got an invitation to the follow-up Lifestyle Matters “Fit &

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The health fair and the “Fit & Free” seminars fed into the July 7 “Keys of Revelation” evangelistic series, which preceded the annual ASI (Adventistlaymen’s Services and Industries) International Convention held Aug. 6–9 in Grand Rapids, Mich. Area churches held simultaneous evangelistic series with additional series in the area; four series were Youth For Jesus (an ASI program) youth-led sites. For more information, visit http://www.keysofrevelation.com.

The Grand Rapids health fair benefited the guests and members participating. All had a good time, and felt it was a worthwhile endeavor. Planners learned that consistent event presentations over time builds awareness, community gatekeepers support and compound attendance growth. Many are asking to do it again, bigger and better! Tom Mejeur, project coordinator, Lifestyle Matters

Sue Rappette

Free” seminars, including “Hearts On Fire” held three weeks later and “From Wanting To Winning” one week before a reaping evangelistic series. The Grand Rapids health fair inspired volunteering staff to go back to their churches and work toward conducting events in their own communities. Currently, three churches are planning health events as a result of participating. The whole purpose of this health evangelism is to lead individuals to Jesus.

At the Health Tent, John Carlos explains the difference between fat and muscle to two young ladies, and explains the benefits of exercising.

Volunteers share health principles at Berrien County Youth Fair Michigan—The second week of August 2014 was a busy time for many members of the Seventh-day Adventist churches throughout Berrien County. That was the week of the Berrien County Youth Fair and a special opportunity to hold a unique evangelistic meeting, complete with tent, right in the middle of the fairgrounds. In the “Health Tent,” there were six precious days to showcase God’s eight fundamental health principles that bring health and healing. To do this, volunteers used the NEWSTART

(nutrition, exercise, water, sunlight, temperance, fresh air, rest and trust in God) approach. This health recovery program was introduced to over 2,000 people as they visited each of the eight stations, many with activities and demonstrations to grab their attention. Fair-goers were encouraged to come into the tent to get a free massage, cool drink of water, free blood pressure check and free balloons for the kids. They also could sign up for a chance to win one of 24 cookbooks and three CDs. For those who wanted more information, there were free magazines like Vibrant Life to take home, GLOW (Giving Light to Our World) tracts and a special DVD by Anchor Point Films called “The Forgotten Dream.”

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Emily Cecil, an Andrews student, was one of the volunteers (“Ambassadors for Healthy Living”) who staffed the Nutrition station during the week. “The Lord sent me many Divine appointments,” says Cecil. “One of these appointments was with a young woman who worked long hours each day at a fast-food restaurant while going to school. Because she couldn’t afford to buy regular groceries, she was consuming the high calorically-dense food at the restaurant, and it was taking its toll on her body. I feel the Lord sent me to tell her about the local resources she has. She was so relieved to hear about these resources. I could just see the stress roll off her shoulders.” Cecil plans to keep in touch with the woman, helping her reach her nutrition and weight goals. This year, the fair was scheduled the same time as the Forever Faithful International Pathfinder Camporee in Oshkosh, Wis., and it seemed to the Health Tent Planning Committee that it would be a challenge to find the number of volunteers needed for this kind of an effort. But their faith grew as God showed his faithfulness by providing even more than they could ask or imagine — more volunteers than in previous years, generous donations allowing them to purchase the literature they gave out for free, donations of cookbooks and CDs for prizes, a sponsor for bags to give to visitors, the loan of a van in which to lock up their items each night, and even a free laptop computer to use exclusively for the “Health

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Zomi hymns translated to English become refugee ministry resource Michigan—“You are going to do what?! Why?!” was Shirley Finneman’s astonished response to Mike McKenzie, administrator of the City of Battle Creek Emergency Management/ Homeland Security. “I am going to teach the Community Emergency Response Training to a group of refugees from Myanmar. It will be my first time to speak with an interpreter. You know there are about 2,000 Myanmar refugees in the city!” “Myanmar… Oh, you mean Burma!” Finneman said. The word “Burma”

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Sue Rappette

Age” assessment and other programs relating to the health tent evangelism. “We had a list of needs we had been praying about,” shares Melody Wallace, Health Tent coordinator, “and, just a few days before the fair, God had provided for every one of them.” Planners also prayed that God would help them make this effort more than just a one-week-a-year interaction between the Berrien County community and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. After the blue and white Health Tent was packed up and stored away, they wanted to continue to be an influence to those around them — helping the community with their health and spiritual needs. God granted that prayer, too. “A website has been a dream of mine for quite a while,” explains Wallace. “This year, he fulfilled that dream, and we were able to develop a new website http:// www.IChooseGreatHealth.com. We invited everyone at the fair to visit our new ‘home’ throughout the year as they pursue a healthier lifestyle.” At the website, anyone easily can access information about the eight health laws or explore great resources such as http://www.StepFast.org. and http://www.AmazingHealthFacts.

News

Ray Nelson (front, left) demonstrates temperance to fair-goers using the Jenga game.

org. Seekers can also find many links to Bible truths. “We’ve asked all of our Berrien County SDA churches to send us information about their upcoming health-related programs,” says Wallace. “We’ll advertise them and put them on our web calendar. By networking, we hope to maximize our potential to do good and bring glory to God.” Planners praise God for the friends the volunteers met at the Health Tent this year. Already, God has answered

their prayers that some of these friends would find their way to their churches. Recently, they heard of three fairgoers who attended the Mark Anthony cooking class hosted at the Stevensville Church. They pray this will be just the beginning of something wonderful in Berrien County.

brought a flood of memories to her. “‘Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? Didn’t any one ever tell you?’ rang in my ears. These were my father’s favorite expressions to us children as we grew up, echos of Eric B. Hare’s stories fresh from the jungles of Burma. These stories molded my life and, at age seven, I determined to be a missionary,” Finneman stated. About 60 years later, she is in the exciting position of starting a foreign mission station in the field of Battle Creek through Adventist Community Services. The distress in a newly-arrived refugee’s voice as he prayed was evident even as he spoke a language Finneman did not understand. He had spent agonizing years fleeing from his country and living in another one, waiting for the

opportunity to come to a free nation. Now, he was desperately struggling to learn a language that was baffling. “He had to get a job to be able to stay in this country, but even a greater concern was the welfare of his family. Through an interpreter, he pleaded with us to teach the family the alphabet. They were getting help with enough English to fill out forms and get a job in a factory, but he longed to understand more. He needed to know God was answering his prayers for his family when he could not see the answers,” Finneman said. It was then when God reminded Finneman of the way she was introduced to foreign languages — through hymns. Finneman said, “On my way home, I took their precious well-worn Zomi hymnal and made a stop at a dollar store

Sue Rappette, secretary of Health Tent Planning Committee 2014, Pioneer Memorial Church

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where I found a handful of simple phonics books. The next day we started a class with hymns in Zomi and English, children’s Sabbath school songs, phonics books and a white board. There was no interpreter this time — we were to sink or swim! Our earnest prayer was for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to speak to the families through the hymns that they had picked out and to encourage their hearts, bonding all of us together. We also asked him to open their minds to learn the language of the land where he had brought them.” Finneman experienced the working of the Holy Spirit in a mighty way! Through the words of the great hymns, in their own heart language, Zomi, the Holy Spirit spoke of courage, comfort, hope and the many promises of the care of our gracious Redeemer. “Our eyes met as our hearts had been touched by the messages which we both could now understand. Looks, smiles, and songs crossed the language barrier aided by the Holy Spirit,” Finneman remembered. Those who were too shy to speak the English language would sing courageously instead in English. “It was an easier way to learn the sounds of the letters, sentence structures and the spiritual language,” Finneman said. “When we hit a challenge with the sound of ‘R,’ we sang ‘Redeemed.’” Another surprise was when some Baptist neighbors heard about her class; they came to join the singing, delighted to learn Adventists sing some of the same songs they do. “We shared with them that Baptist missionaries had translated the Zomi language using the English alphabet. (We would have been lost trying to read the Burmese!) They also were surprised at what we believed — ‘Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb...’ We were witnessing through our hymns!” Finneman said. This was just the beginning.There now are five teams going out into the homes with hymns, phonics and picture dictionaries. “In anticipation of needing Zomi-speaking workers to answer Bible questions, Louis and Carol Torres from

Listening to a refugee’s story about fleeing his homeland, formerly known as Burma, Shirley Finneman realized his desperate desire to learn English and understand God was answering his prayers for his family. It was then God reminded her how she was introduced to foreign languages through learning hymns. This inspiration began a ministry to refugees which now has expanded to five teams.

the Mission College of Evangelism in Guam gave our first class of Bible instruction. Our hearts were thrilled as 17 native Zomi-speaking individuals along with others attended,” Finneman said. Evelyn Kissinger and Mary McNeilus (who previously helped Southeast Asia refugees), along with other health professionals, are helping to develop a medical missionary program to fit their culture and challenges. “The Adventist Community Service and outreach coordinators of the Urbandale and Marshall churches are joining us to look for ways to enable the ladies to work at home; sewing machines already have been donated! Others are

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experimenting with alternate ways to grow crops and work with different kinds of greenhouses to extend the growing season of food familiar to Burma. This is not only for better nutrition, but work without Sabbath conflicts,” Finneman said. Remember the class for emergency response for the refugees mentioned at the beginning? It never materialized. It seems that was God’s way of opening our eyes to the mission field he had been equipping us for at our very door step. Shirley Finneman, member, Battle Creek Tabernacle, as shared with Justin Kim, communication director, Michigan Conference

T h e L a k e Un i o n He ra l d i s a v a i l a b l e o n l i n e .

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[ U N I O N ne w s ]

Adventist Historic Village hosts international visitors Michigan—With all the Pathfinders* going to the Forever Faithful International Camporee in Oshkosh, Wis., and Adventist-laymen’s Services & Industries members traveling to Grand Rapids in August, Adventist Historic Village was a favorite stop along the way. In August, guests totaled 7,155. AHV director Don Scherencel and his wife, Betty, planned months ahead for these guests. When guests were not present, there were grounds and buildings to maintain, remodeling, repairing, training and orienting volunteers, supervising student interns. Betty sewed by hand the costumes that many volunteer tour guides wore as they worked around the village. The first weeks of August saw buses, vans and carloads of visitors fill parking lots. Volunteer staff guided traffic, made lunches, directed groups, told stories, sold books and gave their time, sometimes for long hours, to make sure guests were taken care of. Visitors arrived not only from all across the United States but from many countries. “As a volunteer, I was able to meet people from Samoa, Romania, Guatemala, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Costa Rica, Philippines, Kenya, Canada, Brazil, Australia, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Congo, Great Britain, the Virgin islands, New Zealand, France and more,” said Laurie Snyman, volunteer tour guide. Many people toured all the AHV buildings and museum, but most were especially thrilled to visit the former home of James and Ellen White, which includes the bedroom where Ellen wrote The Great Controversy amidst hardship and illness. “On a more recent Sabbath, I was asked to take my very first group out and give them a tour. I prayed God would help me to recall what I

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In August, Historic Adventist Village guests totaled 7,155. Many of these were from Pathfinder clubs traveling to the International Pathfinder Camporee in Oshkosh, Wis. Visitors arrived not only from all across the United States, but from many overseas countries.

diligently had read about the pioneers, hoping not to cheat this group out of the vital, extensive information usually shared by more experienced tour guides. God was good. The group only asked questions I knew from my studies,” remembered Snyman. Just being on the tour inspired the little group of visitors. There were times this little Romanian group broke out in songs and favorite hymns. Snyman posed for pictures with the group and together they prayed in thankfulness while in the different buildings. “It was easy to see that they and their children were touched by the pioneers’ stories and sacrifice,” Snyman said. “At the end, I confessed it was my very first tour and that they had been my

‘experimental’ group. They hugged me, positively affirmed me, sang to me in Romanian, and we bonded — friends, all looking forward to the Second Coming when we can thank the pioneers for their great sacrifices,” she added. Recalling the words of Mark Finley, Snyman said, “It all makes one realize that AHV is a very special place, ‘one of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s most valuable, hidden treasures.’” Laurie Snyman, volunteer tour guide, Adventist Historic Village, as shared with Lake Union Herald staff *Pathfinders is a Seventh-day Adventist Church youth ministry for ages 10–15 that promotes religious education and the development of cultural and social skills.

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‘Ten Days of Prayer’ initiative planned in 2015 The Ministerial Association of the General Conference is organizing a Ten Days of Prayer initiative, Jan. 7–17, 2015. “Ten Days of Prayer is an opportunity for individuals to meet together and experience the power that comes with united prayer, and to pray in one accord so God’s power can be unleashed and the Great Controversy ended,” says Jerry Page, General Conference ministerial secretary. The theme for this initiative is “Experiencing the Fruits of the Spirit,” based on Galatians 5:22–25. Participants will pray for and learn about these characteristics that are present in the Spirit-filled life. Following last year’s Ten Days of Prayer, literally hundreds of participants wrote and shared their experiences. “We have seen former members returning and new people from the community coming to church. People got jobs. There has been an increase in prayer in our Sabbath services, and members have drawn closer to each other and to God,” wrote Gloria Milton of the Keynes Church, United Kingdom. “The Ten Days of Prayer was so spirit-filled! On the night of the

eighth day, one of our neighbors had demonic possession. Myself and one of my elders were invited to pray for the lady. We went there, and the demon manifested himself, but the power of God was so mighty on us that God himself prevailed. The testimony from the lady the following morning was that she didn’t just see two of us enter her house. Instead, she saw a multitude of angels that accompanied us. To God be the glory!” During the Ten Days of Prayer, church leaders asked God to give the church very significant testimony to confirm that he is with us. “He did answer us!” shared Pastor Francis (location unknown). “For us, a small church plant, it was both necessary and blessed to come together to pray. We had just started a process of developing visions and

strategies for our group and, for that reason, the Ten Days of Prayer was much needed. It has set our thoughts in motion toward a common goal,” testified Anton Torstensson of the Arvika Church plant, Sweden. This year, Hope Channel and the General Conference Ministerial Association, once again, will partner to produce live broadcasts of the program, “Let’s Pray.” Each evening, a devotional thought on the theme for the day will be presented, and viewers will be invited to participate by sharing and praying for requests on the program. “Let’s Pray” can be viewed on DirecTV 368 and will be streamed online at http://www.hopetv.org. People are encouraged to organize a group of friends, neighbors, church members or family to spend uninterrupted time together in prayer. “God wants to pour out his Spirit on his people now, just as he did for his disciples during Pentecost,” stated Janet Page, General Conference prayer coordinator. “All are invited to join the world church in praying for that blessing.” Participants can sign up at http:// www.TenDaysofPrayer.org, join the Facebook event at 10DaysofPrayer2015, follow it on Twitter at #10DaysofPrayer2015, and watch special episodes of “Let’s Pray–10 Days of Prayer” at http://www.hopetv.org. Jackie O. Smith, communication manager, Ministerial Association, General Conference (adapted)

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T h e L a k e Un i o n He ra l d i s a v a i l a b l e o n l i n e .

Announcements

Churches, schools, conferences, institutions and organizations may submit announcements to the Lake Union Herald through their local conference communication directors. An easy way to do this is to visit the Lake Union Herald website at http:// www.herald.lakeunion.org and submit the announcement online. Readers may verify dates and times of programs with the respective sources, as these events are subject to change. Submission eligibility guidelines are listed at http://www.herald.lakeunion.org.

Andrews University Howard Performing Arts Center: For more information on these events, contact the Box Office at 269-471-3560. Sat., Nov. 8, 8:00 p.m., Collegiate Invitational Concert Sun., Nov. 9, 4:00 p.m., Second Sunday

Nov. 22 Welcome Home Sabbath Offerings for December Dec. 6 Local Church Budget Dec. 13 Adventist Community Services Dec. 20 Local Church Budget Dec. 27 Local Conference Advance Special Days

Concert: Si-Yan Li, cello; Chi Yong Yun,

Dec. 6 Bible Sabbath

piano

Thirteenth Sabbath

Sat., Nov. 15, 7:00 p.m., Howard Center

Dec. 27 Inter-American Division

Presents... Charles and Julie Reid in “An Evening of Love Songs” Fri., Nov. 21, 7:00 p.m., “Sacred Christmas Concert” by students of Charles Reid Sat., Nov. 22, 8:00 p.m., Wind Symphony Holiday Concert Sat., Dec. 6, 8:00 p.m., “A Christmas Celebration: Sounds of the Season with a Soulful Touch” Sat., Dec. 13, 7:00 p.m.: You are invited to an evening of popular Christmas music. Join us as we bring in the holidays with a variety of well-known Christmas songs, including selections from Mannheim Steamroller, Transiberian Orchestra and a collection of holiday favorites played by the combined

Biblical Stewardship Conference: Learn practical biblical stewardship principles that can equip you to better plan and manage your finances to live debtfree with the resources to support the causes you care about. Sponsored by the Lake Union Conference Stewardship Department, this conference will be held at Pioneer Memorial Church, Berrien Springs, Mich., on Nov. 16.

anyone interested in learning how to find financial freedom in Christ are invited to attend. For more informalucbsc or call 800-328-0525.

day Series: “Carol Sing”

slides of the work in and around the heritage wall. Please mail them to Communication

Department,

P.O.

Local Church Budget

Box 287, Berrien Springs, MI 49103-

Nov. 8

Annual Sacrifice

0287. Include your address if you want

(Global Mission)

photos and slides returned. Hi-resolu-

Nov. 15 Local Church Budget

tion scanned photos can be emailed

Nov. 22 Local Conference Advance

to circulation@lakeunion.org.

Nov. 1

Stewardship Sabbath

Michigan Andrews Academy will present the 42nd

RON CLOUZET

RON SMITH

ROGER HERNANDEZ

MUSIC BY

JENNIFER LAMOUTAIN

OTHER SPEAKERS:

BILL MCCLENDON, ALAN PARKER, AND RALPH RINGER

Proven Strategies to REACH your World. REGISTER FOR FREE: WWW.SOUTHERNUNION.COM/EVANGELISM

Annual Feast of Lights Program on Fri.,

Nov. 2–8 Week of Prayer

Dec. 12, at 7:00 p.m. The community

Nov. 15 Human Relations Sabbath

is invited to attend this spectacular

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SPEAKERS:

Lake Union territory for the planned

Nov. 1

Nov. 1–29 Native Heritage Month

RE: EVANGELISM DECEMBER 1-4 AT THE DAYTONA BEACH RESORT

We invite you to share your photos and

Special Days

Wisconsin Academy invites you to “Journey to Bethlehem,” a dramatic retelling of the birth of Jesus held Friday, Dec.12 and Sabbath Dec. 13 from 5:00–8:00 p.m. This family-friendly event is completely free. Dress warmly. While most of the Journey stops are in heated locations, a few are outdoors. Journeys leave every ten minutes and are generally first-come, first-served. You may, however, reserve a time in advance. For more information, call 920-623-3300 or visit http://wisacad.org.

tion and to register, go to http://bit.ly/

Sun., Dec. 14, 4:00 p.m., Second Sun-

Nov. 29 NAD Evangelism

Breath of Life Celebrates! The weekend of Nov. 7–8 promises to be one that will go down in the annals of Adventist history as “spiritually memorable” as Breath of Life celebrates 40 years in Huntsville, Ala., at the Oakwood University Church! Walter Arties, C.D. Brooks and Walter Pearson will join

Wisconsin

dents, pastors, conference staff and

Heritage Wall Planned in Lake Union Office:

Offerings for November

North American Division

Carlton Byrd as they reflect on God’s goodness to this ministry. In addition to the collective preaching ministry of the aforementioned, Breath of Life also will be blessed with the music ministry of Walter Arties, Shelton Kilby, the original and current Breath of Life Quartets, and many others. For more information, call 256-837-1255, or visit http://www.breathoflife.tv.

Stewardship leaders, seminary stu-

musical groups of Andrews Academy.

Lake Union

night of music, Scripture and drama honoring the King of kings. It is an evening of lights, bells, instruments, choral singing, congregational singing, shepherds, a Nativity scene and the retelling of a glorious Christmas story. Portions of Handel’s “Messiah,” including the “Hallelujah” chorus, also will be performed. The church sidewalks will be arrayed in Christmas lighting. The program will speak to your hearts of Jesus’ wondrous love. All are invited to attend this free program held at Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University. For more information, contact Andrews Academy at 269-471-3138.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: SUEVANGELISM@SOUTHERNUNION.COM OR (407) 257-6847

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MilePOSTS

Within the Lake Union, the officiating pastor or church communication leader is responsible for submission of information to this column. Forms are available in print format, or they can be filled out and submitted directly online. Milepost forms are available at http://www.herald.lakeunion.org. Conference addresses and phone numbers are listed in the masthead on the inside back cover.

Memorial services were conducted by the family, with private inurnment.

Obituaries ALTHAGE, Joyce J. (Gunderson), age 94; born Jan. 12, 1920, in Good Thunder, Blue Earth County, Minn.; died Aug. 16, 2014, in St. Joseph, Mich. She was a member of the Pioneer Memorial Church, Berrien Springs, Mich. Survivors include her son, Craig L.; daughter, Celia J. Althage; and sister, Marion Simoneaux. Memorial services were conducted by Jose Bourget, with private inurnment.

CASE, Walter H., age 92; born March 29, 1922, in Breckenridge, Mich.; died June 17, 2014, in St. Louis, Mich. He was a member of the Twin Cities Church, Alma, Mich. Survivors include his sons, Gary, Dennis and Michael; daughter, Nancy Smith; sister, Frances Ingersoll; eight grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted by Jut Daron, and interment was in Chapel Garden Cemetery, Alma.

BELL, Evangeline G. (Royston), age 94; born Aug. 27, 1919, in Boulder, Colo.; died Dec. 15, 2013, in Berrien Springs, Mich. She was a member of the Pioneer Memorial Church, Berrien Springs. Survivors include her sons, Skip, Rex and Everett; six grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. A private Celebration of Life service was held in Colorado, with private inurnment.

COYLE, Dorothiea J. (Andrus), age 93; born June 21, 1921, in Hewitt, Minn.; died Aug. 26, 2014, in Oregon City, Ore. She was a member of the Mio (Mich.) Church. Survivors include her daughters, Carol Elliott and Connie Myers; brother, Dean Andrus; two grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren. A Celebration of Life service was held, with private inurnment, Fort Ripley, Minn.

BICKNELL, Eleanor G. (Gohde), age 90; born May 9, 1924, in Cleveland, Ohio; died July 8, 2014, in Niles, Mich. She was a member of the Pioneer Memorial Church, Berrien Springs, Mich. Survivors include her son, Larry; daughter, Lynn Steen; brother, Howard Gohde; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Private graveside services were conducted, with interment in Rose Hill Cemetery, Berrien Springs.

GRAY, Harry L., age 81; born Feb. 28, 1933, in Decatur, Mich.; died July 10, 2014, in Marcellus, Mich. He was a member of the Glenwood Church, Dowagiac, Mich. Survivors include his wife, Kathlene M. (Bennett); stepsons, Michael and Mark S. Willbanks, and Douglas M. and Kenneth B. Johnson; daughters, Barbara J. Larsh and Cynthia Knutson; brothers, Warren J. and Lowell D.; sister, Joyce E. Klein; 18 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Memorial services were conducted by Harry Sponseller and Tim Perry, and inurnment was in Marcellus Cemetery.

BYRD, Gordon L., age 77; born Aug. 1, 1936, in Decatur, Ala.; died July 6, 2014, in Parker, Texas. He was a member of the Pioneer Memorial Church, Berrien Springs, Mich. Survivors include his wife, Barbara T. (Tompkins); daughters, Stephanie Regester and Suzanne Brown; brother, Richard; and three grandchildren.

HERZEL, Edward F., age 98; born May 1, 1915, in Kalamazoo, Mich.; died Feb. 6, 2014, in Hendersonville, N.C. He was pastor of the Decatur, Owasso and Hastings churches in Michigan. Survivors include his sons, Fred and Dan; daughter, Judy Halleron; eight

grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Memorial services were conducted by Tim Sheridan, with private inurnment, Hendersonville. HERZEL, Mary Lee (Doggett), age 98; born June 9, 1914, in Mecklenburg County, Va.; died March 22, 2013, in Hendersonville, N.C. She was a member of the Decatur, Owasso and Hastings (Mich.) churches. Survivors include her husband, Edward; sons, Fred and Dan; daughter, Judy Halleron; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Memorial services were conducted by John Earnhardt (March 31, 2013) and Tim Sheridan (May 11, 2013), and inurnment was in Morganton (N.C.) SDA Cemetery. HOOKER, Herbert J., age 89; born Oct. 20, 1924, in Bluefields, Nicarauga; died Aug. 19, 2014, in Ypsilanti, Mich. He was a member of the Ann Arbor (Mich.) Church. Survivors include his son, Daniel; sister, Emma Hooker; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Memorial services were conducted by Christien Hodet, with private inurnment, Ypsilanti. MANNING, Lawana E. (Burley), age 99; born Oct. 10, 1914, in Webberville, Mich.; died Aug. 16, 2014, in Adrian, Mich. She was a member of the Tecumseh (Mich.) Church. Survivors include her daughters, Jean Simpson and Joanne MacRae; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Private inurnment has taken place. McNEIL, Bryan W., age 52; born Jan. 15, 1962, in Lafayette, Ind.; died July 25, 2014, in Noblesville, Ind. He was a member of the Cicero (Ind.) Church. Survivors include his mother, Leslie (Miller) Bauer; half-brother, Brad McNeil; sisters, Licia Bandel, Denise Fruth and Michelle Hoskins; and stepsister, Rhonda McNeil. Memorial services were conducted by Aaron Clark, and inurnment was in Perkinsville (Ind.) Cemetery.

MOMMAERTS, Jeanie A. (Fromfeld), age 55; born Aug. 19, 1959, in Merrill, Wis.; died Aug. 21, 2014, in De Pere, Wis. She was a member of the Green Bay (Wis.) Church. Survivors include her husband, Mark; daughters, Angela Romenesko and Amanda Hetcher; father, Fred Fromfeld; mother, Nathalie (Wirtz) Fromfeld; brother, Fred Fromfeld; sisters, Deb Olson, Sue Mommaerts, and Linda and Judy Fromfeld; and four grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted by William J. Ochs, and interment was in Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, De Pere. OLES, Edith I. (Thompson), age 85; born April 7, 1929, in Midland, Mich.; died Aug. 19, 2014, in Grand Rapids, Mich. She was a member of the Pioneer Memorial Church, Berrien Springs, Mich. Survivors include her sons, David and Dan Shultz; daughter, Lori Little; sisters, Ruby Soresen and Gladys Vessels; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Memorial services were conducted by Don Dronen, with private inurnment. WALLER, Evangelina (Valdes), age 75; born April 2, 1938, in Havana, Cuba; died March 2, 2014, in Stevensville, Mich. She was a member of the Chikaming Church, Chikaming Township, Mich. Survivors include her husband, Paul; sons, Jesus and Juan Fuentes; daughter, Dulce Fuentes; and nine grandchildren. Memorial services were conducted by William Dudgeon Sr., with private inurnment. WOOD, Florence L. (Henry) Liggett Bachman, age 90; born Feb. 1, 1924, in Decatur, Mich.; died July 29, 2014, in Niles, Mich. She was a member of the Westside Church, Niles. Survivors include her sons, William R. Liggett Jr. and Edwin E. Bachman Jr.; daughter, Linda K. Bachman; brother, Harland Adams; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted by William Dudgeon, and interment was in Mission Hills Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Niles.

Sabbath Sunset Calendar

Berrien Springs, Mich. Chicago, Ill. Detroit, Mich. Indianapolis, Ind. La Crosse, Wis. Lansing, Mich. Madison, Wis. Springfield, Ill. 34

Nov 7

5:33 4:39 5:19 5:37 4:49 5:25 4:43 4:51

Nov 14

5:26 4:31 5:12 5:30 4:41 5:17 4:36 4:44

Nov 21

5:20 4:26 5:06 5:25 4:35 5:11 4:30 4:39

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Nov 28

5:16 4:22 5:02 5:22 4:30 5:07 4:25 4:36

Dec 5

5:14 4:20 5:00 5:20 4:28 5:05 4:23 4:34

Dec 12

5:14 4:20 5:00 5:20 4:27 5:05 4:23 4:34

Dec 19

5:16 4:21 5:02 5:22 4:29 5:06 4:24 4:36

Dec 26

5:20 4:25 5:05 5:26 4:33 5:10 4:28 4:40

Jan 2

5:25 4:30 5:10 5:31 5:11 5:15 4:33 4:45

Jan 9

5:31 4:37 5:17 5:37 5:17 5:22 4:40 4:51

T h e L a k e Un i o n He ra l d i s a v a i l a b l e o n l i n e .

All classified ads must be sent to your local conference for approval. No phoned ads will be accepted. Allow at least eight weeks for publication. Fifty words maximum. No limit of insertions. Rates: $36 per insertion for Lake Union church members; $46 per insertion for all others. A form is available at http://www.herald.lakeunion. org for printing out and filling in your ad. Ads must be prepaid. Make money order or check payable to the Lake Union Conference. There will be no refunds for cancellations. The Lake Union Herald cannot be responsible for advertisements appearing in its columns, and reserves the right to edit ads in accordance with editorial policies. The Lake Union Herald does not accept responsibility for typographical errors. Submission eligibility guidelines are listed at http://www.herald.lakeunion.org.

Employment WEB PRESS OPERATORS WANTED: Pacific Press Publishing Association seeks Seventh-day Adventist Web Press Operators for Head Press Operator and 2nd Press Operator full-time positions. Applicants should have two to four years experience, showing mechanical aptitude and the proven ability to lead employees in a production process. Hourly rate based on experience. For more information, contact Ms. Alix Mansker, HR Director, P.O. Box 5353, Nampa, ID 83653; phone 208-4652567; fax 208-465-2531; or email aliman@pacificpress.com. UNION COLLEGE seeks Seventh-day Adventist experienced in K–8 education and eligible for Nebraska certification to teach curriculum and instruction courses and supervise student teachers. Doctorate strongly preferred. Effective summer 2015. Email letter of interest and CV to Denise White, Chair of Human Development, at dewhite@ ucollege.edu.

Real Estate/Housing SUMMIT RIDGE RETIREMENT VILLAGE is an Adventist community in a rural Okla. setting but close to Oklahoma City medical facilities and shopping. Made up of mostly individual homes, the village has a fellowship you’ll enjoy. On-site church, independent living, nursing home and transportation as needed. For more information, visit http://www.summit ridgevillage.org, or call Bill Norman at 405-208-1289. SANTA BARBARA, CALIF., CONDO FOR RENT. Attractive, quiet and convenient to shopping, beach, hiking and all that makes this area special! Single level, open plan, light and airy, immaculate. 2 bed/2 bath. Washer/dryer. Private patio. Enclosed garage. For more information, call 909-793-5807 or email sharilou5@aol.com. Vi s i t w w w. L a k e Un i o n He r a l d . o r g

HOME FOR SALE NEAR GREAT LAKES ADVENTIST ACADEMY: This well-maintained home on one acre in country setting is one mile from the academy and includes: 3–4 bedrooms, kitchen, dining room, living room, den and two full baths. Also has large shed and two-car Quonset. For more information, call 989-304-1399.

Classiﬁeds AWR travels where missionaries cannot go

For Sale PATHFINDER/ADVENTURER CLUB NAME CREST: Order your Pathfinder and Adventurer club name crest at http:// www.pathfinderclubnames.com. For more information, call 269-208-5853 or email us at pathfinderclubnames@ gmail.com. BOOKS AVAILABLE AT ABC: Author Paula Montgomery’s Hazel Weston children’s book series (Canyon Girl, Valley Girl, Hood River Girl and In Grandma’s Footsteps) and Becka Bailey series (Coyotes in the Wind, Down the River Road, A Summer to Grow On and When November Comes) are available at your Adventist Book Center. Also available at your ABC: Montgomery’s latest WestBow Press book, Spider Preacher Man — From Motorcycle Gangs to God (recommended for teens and older). PREPAID PHONE CARDS: Regularly featuring new card for continental U.S.A. or international countries. Now 2.4¢ per minute. No connection fees or other taxes. Do you want a card that is trouble-free or does not expire? Benefits personal A.S.I. projects and Christian education. For information, call L J Plus at 770-441-6022 or 888441-7688. ATTENTION: HYMNS ALIVE OWNERS, Remastered New Hymns Alive on 24 CDs. Short introductions, shorter chord to end stanzas, and more. Call for upgrade price. Every hymn in the SDA Hymnal, organ, piano accompaniment music. $259 + $16 S&H. Call

“I love your programs very much. I listen every night with complete delight. I earnestly follow Jesus Christ and offer my life to Him. I have one desire, and that is to spread the gospel in my country. I hope that God will work with me in this pursuit. From a far distance, but with a heart that is near, I bid you farewell.” – Listener in the Middle East

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L a k e U nion H erald

• No v e m b e r / De c e m b e r 2 0 1 4

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At Your Service HTTP://ADVENTISTSINGLES.ORG: Free 14-day trial! Join thousands of active Adventist singles online. Free chat, search, detailed profiles, match notifications! Two-way compatibility match, 10 photos, confidential online mail. Witnessing opportunities to the world through articles, friendships, chat, forums. Matching Adventists since 1993! Adventist owners. Thousands of successful matches! Top ranked. AUTHORS of cookbooks, health books, children’s chapter and picture books, call 800-367-1844 for your free evaluation. We publish all book formats, distribute to over 39,000 bookstores in 220 countries. Find our new titles at your local ABC or http://www.TEACH Services.com; used SDA books at http://www.LNFBooks.com. MOVE WITH AN AWARD-WINNING AGENCY. Apex Moving & Storage partners with the General Conference to provide quality moves for you. Call us for all your relocation needs. Contact Marcy Danté at 800-766-1902, or visit our website: http://www.apexmoving. com/adventist. ARE YOU MOVING SOON? Before you rent a U-Haul and do it yourself, check our price and save yourself the hassle. Plan ahead now, and reserve a time slot. Fast, direct and economical. Contact Gary Erhard, Erhard Furniture Moving, Berrien Springs, Mich., by phone: 269471-7366, or cell: 248-890-5700. PLANNING AN EVANGELISTIC SERIES OR HEALTH SEMINAR? Have questions? Need affordable, professionally-prepared handbills, brochures, signs, banners and mailing services? Call free: 800-274-0016, and ask for HOPE Customer Service, or visit http://www. hopesource.com. We invite you to experience the Hopesource difference.

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For information, call 423-236-4688 or 423-716-1298. See pictures at http://www.rogerkingrentals.com. 2015 Great Controversy Tour, July 17–30, with Gerard Damsteegt of Andrews University. See prophecies of Daniel and Revelation come alive! Visit Rome, Italy and Reformation sites in the Waldensian Valleys, Switzerland, Germany, France. A most exciting experience! For more information, call 269-815-8624 or email gctours@ mac.com.

Miscellaneous THE ADVENT GOD SQUAD NEEDS YOU. Jesus told us, “I was in prison and you visited me.” Through Paper Sunshine, you may write an inmate through a screening process which reduces risk. You write through our address. We read their letters and forward to you. From the comfort and safety of your home, you can share the love of Christ. With V.O.P. over the years, more than 1,000,000 inmates have completed Bible studies. Become a pen friend. Ask friends and church members to join you. For more information, email Don and Yvonne McClure at sdapm@someonecares.org or call 260-387-7423.

Two music CDs and a DVD music video are available after the concert. For more information, contact Vladimir Slavujevic at 269-473-2826, or email him at vladoslavujevic@yahoo.com.

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THE WILDWOOD LIFESTYLE CENTER can help you naturally treat and reverse diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, obesity, arthritis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, lupus, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue, cancer, substance abuse, stress, anxiety, depression and many more. Invest in your health and call 800-634-9355 for more information, or visit http:// www.wildwoodhealth.org/lifestyle. SOUTHERN ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY OFFERS MASTER’S DEGREES in business, computer science, counseling, education, global community development, nursing, religion and social work. Flexibility is provided through some online and many on-campus programs. Financial aid may be available. For more information, call 423-236-2585 or visit https://www.southern.edu/ graduatestudies. FREE VOCAL MUSIC CONCERTS WITH PERSONAL LIFE EXPERIENCES. A former voice instructor from Andrews University with his family will give free Sat. evening vocal music concerts with testimonies.

No v e m b e r / D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4 • L a k e U nion H erald

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S with GOD

PARTNERSHIP A Faithful Steward

b y Gar y Burns

Vi s i t w w w. L a k e Un i o n He r a l d . o r g

tones, rocks and arrowheads... Horse turnips, wildflowers and mushrooms... Squirrels, bees and birds... My friend, Frank Prillwitz, was a gentleman of the Earth, one of its better caretakers. He’d stop his truck upon seeing a turtle, just to help it cross the road safely. He even kept a big stick in the truck to move, to the side of the road, a snake that had picked a very wrong place to sun itself. Frank’s advice for those gathering nuts under a tree was, “Don’t get greedy and take all the squirrels’ nuts! Leave some for them.” His church, his sanctuary, was his 40-acre woods beyond the cemetery. And that’s where he’d be, praying in holy communion in the presence of his Creator, when others were sitting in pews. Frank was a man of wisdom — a man of uncommon, practical wisdom.

“Try to improve what you’ve got and leave something for the next generation” was a principle he lived by. “Some people make a lot of money and spend a lot of money. Some people don’t make a lot, but they save a lot,” Frank would say with a nod, letting you know he was speaking of himself. In spite of all the challenges, disappointments, setbacks and the inequitable pricing he got for his fruit, for Frank, life was “Wun’erful, wun’erful!” Frank passed away a couple of weeks ago. He was a good, faithful steward — a steward of the Earth and the creatures God created, which, by the way, was mankind’s first assignment. I want to be a faithful steward. I, too, want to live in a closer partnership with our Creator, like Frank did. Gary Burns is the director of communication of the Lake Union Conference.

L a k e U nion H erald

• No v e m b e r / De c e m b e r 2 0 1 4

| 37

ONE VOICE

[ Y O U N G

A D U LT S

S P E A K

T H E I R

M I N D ]

The Best Decision of My Life b y R e b e k ah A ma y a Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” —Matthew 16:24–25 NIV

cannot describe what I felt after I was lifted from the water. I could almost hear the angels in Heaven rejoicing. It was literally out of this world, but I hadn’t felt this way at all in the days leading up to my baptism.

No v e m b e r / D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4 • L a k e U nion H erald

Up until the very last moment, the devil tried to stop me. I prayed to God right then because I was feeling very lonely and as if no cared or supported me. The moment I opened my eyes, I saw some of my church leaders who had watched me grow up and had been a very important part of my life. Little did I know that they were even going to come to witness my baptism at the Forever Faithful International Pathfinder Camporee. I felt so relieved and happy. My spiritual strength was renewed, and I felt stronger than ever. I thanked the Lord for his speedy response. With the encouraging words of pastors Sam Leonor and Charlie Thompson, and the vibrant smiles of my onlooking family and friends, I was baptized on August 13, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. So now, when people ask me what the best decision of my life was, I will proudly say, “Letting Jesus into my heart and being baptized.” CYE

My family was happy for me when I made the decision back home, but I knew there was one who was very unhappy about it. His job was to make me change my mind, feel doubt and, maybe, not even get baptized — and he almost succeeded, too. When I was younger, I was bullied for being outgoing and liking certain things that, to some, were weird or lame. The same day that I said, “I want to get baptized,” I experienced dreams, replaying all the times I was ever bullied. I woke up sad and confused, but, most of all, I felt doubt and anger as to why God didn’t stop those who had bullied me. God had helped Rebekah Amaya me through the situations when they occurred, but hadn’t stopped the bullying, and that made me angry. I later realized God let those things happen to help me become stronger and forever faithful. All the days leading up to my baptism, the devil taunted and attacked me, using other people to put me down and make me feel unworthy and low. With the help of my parents and, of course, Jesus, I became stronger in faith every day, and was able to overcome these trials, always with the thought of getting baptized.

Rebekah Amaya, 14, is from South Bend, Indiana. She attends the South Bend Hispanic Church and is a freshman at John Adams High School. She will receive a $100 scholarship because her story was selected for publication.

T h e L a k e Un i o n He ra l d i s a v a i l a b l e o n l i n e .

ON THE EDGE

... where faith meets action

Nothing I’d Rather Do

b y P ieter D amstee g t

onathan Wheeler, a third-year, triple-major student at Andrews University, recently returned from a student missions assignment in Lebanon. “When I went there, I was expecting it to be like very ‘third-worldy,’” he

remembers. When he arrived, Jonathan found Lebanon actually was more

materialistic than America. It was quite a shock. He decided to go to Beirut after talking to his Greek professor. (Yes, Jonathan was taking Greek as a side to the the math, physics and engineering he already was taking. Jonathan decided to add Greek after some discussions about the Bible with family members.) His Greek professor mentioned he Jonathan Wheeler should consider teaching computers at the Seventh-day Adventist university in Lebanon. When this was suggested, it was as if all the aspects Jonathan was considering linked together and fell into place. “At that moment, I felt the Holy Spirit leading from then on to get me into it,” he said. Jonathan ended up teaching, from September until June of last year, at Bouchrieh Adventist Secondary School, located just down the hill from Middle East University, the Adventist higher education school in Lebanon. He taught math for 7th and 8th grades and Bible for 7th grade. Jonathan also helped with chapels and used his background in computers to set up databases for the school. When discussing his overall experience, Jonathan said, “It gave me a chance to really sit down in my dorm room and journal a lot of times, and find out who I was. ... Like, 100 percent of time management was up to me, so it gave me a huge opportunity to find out who I am socially, academically, spiritually, physically. I came back with a much better idea of who Jonathan Wheeler is.” In reflection, he believes “that one of the most fulfilling things to do with your life is to be a missionary.” Jonathan said, about his mission environment, “All of my fundamental needs are being handled by God. And I’m surrounded by people that are motivated — who are committed and likewise are feeling fulfilled with life. ... I realize, Wow! There is no other thing I would rather do in the world.” Jonathan looks forward to possible mission opportunities after graduation and further studies abroad. He stays involved with departmental Bible studies and a local Pathfinder club. Pieter Damsteegt is an intern in the Communication Department of the Lake Union Conference.

Address Correction Only paid subscribers should contact the Lake Union Herald office with their address changes. Members should contact their local conference membership clerks directly for all Lake Union Herald address changes. Contact phone numbers are listed below for your convenience, and addresses are listed to the right. Online submissions can be made at http://herald.lakeunion.org under “Subscription Change.” Lake Union Herald Office: (269) 473-8242 Lake Region: (773) 846-2661 Illinois: (630) 856-2874 Michigan: (517) 316-1568 Indiana: (317) 844-6201 ext. 241 Wisconsin: (920) 484-6555 Members outside the Lake Union may subscribe by sending a check for $12.50 (per year) to P.O. Box 287, Berrien Springs, MI 49103-0287. Note: If you are a member of a church in the Lake Union but are not receiving the Lake Union Herald, please request it through your church clerk or your local conference secretary.

Ofﬁcial Publication of the Seventh-day Adventist Church/Lake Union Headquarters

http://herald.lakeunion.org

November/December 2014

Vol. 106, No.10

T H E L A K E U N I O N H E R A L D S TA F F P.O. Box 287, Berrien Springs, MI 49103-0287 | (269) 473-8242 Publisher. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Don Livesay president@lucsda.org Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gary Burns editor@lucsda.org Managing Editor/Display Ads. . . . . . . . . . . Diane Thurber herald@lucsda.org Circulation/Back Pages Editor. . . . . . . . . . . Judi Doty circulation@lucsda.org Art Direction/Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Mason Proofreader. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Susan K. Slikkers CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Adventist Midwest Health. . . . . . . . . . . Julie Busch Julie.Busch@ahss.org Andrews University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rebecca May RMay@andrews.edu Illinois. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shona Cross scross@illinoisadventist.org Indiana. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Van G. Hurst vhurst@indysda.org Lake Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Sconiers jsconiers@lakeregionsda.org Michigan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Justin Kim jkim@misda.org Wisconsin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Juanita Edge jedge@wi.adventist.org CORRESPONDENTS Adventist Midwest Health. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Julie Busch Julie.Busch@ahss.org Andrews University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Becky St. Clair stclair@andrews.edu Illinois. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shona Cross scross@illinoisadventist.org Indiana. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Betty Eaton counselbetty@yahoo.com Lake Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Sconiers jsconiers@lakeregionsda.org Michigan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Julie Clark jclark@misda.org Wisconsin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bert Wredberg bwredberg@wi.adventist.org LAKE UNION CONFERENCE DEPARTMENTS P.O. Box 287, Berrien Springs, MI 49103-0287 | (269) 473-8200 President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Don Livesay Secretary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gary Thurber Treasurer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Glynn Scott Vice President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carmelo Mercado Associate Treasurer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Douglas Gregg Associate Treasurer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard Terrell ASI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carmelo Mercado Communication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gary Burns Communication Associate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diane Thurber Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Garry Sudds Education Associate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barbara Livesay Education Associate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James Martz Hispanic Ministries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carmelo Mercado Information Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sean Parker Ministerial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gary Thurber Native Ministries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gary Burns Public Affairs and Religious Liberty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barbara Livesay Trust Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard Terrell Women’s Ministries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Janell Hurst Youth Ministries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ron Whitehead LOCAL CONFERENCES AND INSTITUTIONS Adventist Midwest Health: David L. Crane, president, 120 N. Oak St., Hinsdale, IL 60521; (630) 856-2010. Andrews University: Niels-Erik Andreasen, president, Berrien Springs, MI 49104-0670; (269) 471-7771. Illinois: Ray Pichette, president; Ron Aguilera, secretary; Roger Driver, treasurer; 619 Plainfield Rd., Willowbrook, IL 60527-8438; (630) 856-2850. Indiana: Van G. Hurst, president; Mark Eaton, secretary/treasurer; street address: 15205 Westfield Blvd., Carmel, IN 46032; mailing address: P.O. Box 5000, Westfield, IN 46074; (317) 844-6201. Lake Region: R. Clifford Jones, president; Timothy Nixon, secretary; Yvonne Collins, treasurer; 8517 S. State St., Chicago, IL 60619; (773) 846-2661. Michigan: Jay Gallimore, president; James Micheff Jr., secretary; Leroy Bruch, treasurer; street address: 320 W. St. Joseph St., Lansing, MI 48933; mailing address: P.O. Box 24187, Lansing, MI 48909; (517) 316-1500. Wisconsin: Michael G. Edge, president; Brian Stephan, secretary/treasurer; street address: N2561 Old Highway 16, Fall River, WI 53932; mailing address: P.O. Box 100, Fall River, WI 53932; (920) 484-6555. Contributors: Writer guidelines are available online at http://herald.lakeunion.org. Indexed in the Seventh-day Adventist Periodical Index No v e m b e r / De c e m b e r 2 0 1 4

P.O. Box 287, Berrien Springs, MI 49103-0287

Biblical Stewardship Conference Learn practical biblical stewardship principles that can equip you to better plan and manage your finances to live debt-free with the resources to support the causes you care about. Sunday, November 16, 2014 Pioneer Memorial Church Berrien Springs, Michigan

Sponsored by The Lake Union Conference Stewardship Department

Lake Union Stewardship Day November 16, 2014 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Registration

8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Devotional – Don Livesay

8:30 a.m. – 9:20 a.m.

Session 1 – Ed Reid “The Devil’s Last Temptation”

9:30 a.m. – 10:20 a.m. Stewardship leaders, seminary students, pastors, conference staff 10:30 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. and anyone interested in learning how to find financial freedom in Christ 11:30 a.m.– 12:00 p.m.

Who should attend?

To Register Visit http://www.adventsource.org and click “Events” or call 800-328-0525.

Registration Fee $25 (includes box lunch and materials)

Main Presenters

John Mathews

G. Edward Reid

Don Livesay

Glynn Scott

Session 2 – John Mathews “Latest Stewardship Research” Session 3 – Ed Reid “Teaching Stewardship in the Local Church” Special Feature – John Mathews

12:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch Break (box lunches) 1:00 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.

Session 4 – Ed Reid “Retirement and Estate Planning”

2:00 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.

Session 5 – John Mathews “Theology of Tithes and Offerings”

3:00 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.

Session 6 – Ed Reid “Biblical Principles of Money Management”

4:00 p.m. – 4:50 p.m.

Session 7 – John Mathews Stewardship Resources and How To Use Them”

5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Session 8 – Glynn Scott “Use of Tithe”